A Class XI student was killed on Thursday near the site of an encounter between security forces and militants in south Kashmir's Pulwama district.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that two militants were killed in the encounter.
A police official said Amir Wani, a resident of Pulwama's Beegumbagh-Kakapora, was "hit by a stray bullet" as civilians clashed with the security forces to help the militants escape.
Chief Medical Officer of Pulwama, Talat Jabeen, confirmed the death of Wani.
The encounter broke out at 5 a.m. at Padgampora area in Awantipora.
Police sources said the militants — Jehangeer Ahmad Ganai and Shafat Ahmad Sherguri, finding themselves trapped inside the house, opened fire at the security forces.
Locals told The Hindu that relatives of Ganai were called in to persuade him to surrender. The local public address system was also used asking the militants to surrender.
They said there were blasts near the house.
Army spokesman Colonal Rajesh Kalia said, "The details of the operation are being ascertained."
