Two civilians were killed in a south Kashmir shootout late on Sunday night. While police said the civilians died in a militant shootout, agitating locals in Kakpora village, alleged that they had been killed by the police.

"Hiding militants sprayed bullets at a police party, resulting in the death of one civilian on the spot. Another critically wounded civilian succumbed to injuries in a hospital," a senior police officer said.

A police party, led by an assistant sub-inspector had gone to Kakpora village late Sunday evening for a routine investigation.

Hundreds of locals took to streets in Kakpora on Monday, protesting the killings.

Kashmir divisional commissioner, Basharat Ahmad Dhar said, "An inquiry has been ordered into the incident."

Meanwhile security forces have intensified cordon and search operations against militants across the state in the past week.

In the past three days, ten militants were killed in various operations by the security forces.

State police chief, Gopal Sharma, told reporters last week that militants were 're-grouping and they still had enough fire power to carry out attacks'.