Two separatist guerrillas and a civilian were killed in Jammu and Kashmir in overnight violence that erupted again Friday, police said.
A soldier was said to be in critical condition in firing that also injured another soldier and a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) trooper.
The death of the 26-year-old civilian, identified as Tariq Ahmad Bhat who succumbed to his injuries, sparked frenzied protests Friday.
Police, soldiers and the CRPF launched a cordon and search operation in Chenigam village Thursday evening after coming to know about the presence of armed militants.
The security forces were fired upon by militants, triggering a gun battle that left two rebels dead.
An unspecified quantity of arms and ammunition were seized from the site.
A senior police officer told IANS that the renewed violence Friday broke out when a section of the people tried to snatch the bodies of the militants from the security personnel.
"There was more firing this morning in which two soldires, a CRPF trooper and a civilian were injured," he said.
It wasn't clear who fired at the security personnel. The civilian later succumbed to his injuries.
