Another civilian has been killed in an encounter between militants and security forces in Shopian town of Pulwama district, prompting authorities to order a magisterial inquiry into it.

Shopian Sub-Divisional Magistrate Hafeezullah would conduct the probe and submit his report within a month, Pulwama Deputy Commissioner Meraj Ahmed Kakroo said on Sunday.

The inquiry was ordered in view of allegations against the security forces and protests by the public, he said.

Army and police maintain two militants, including a top commander of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, and a civilian were killed in a brief gunbattle at Chak-e-Cholan in the town on Saturday but residents of the area alleged the victim, Nazir Ahmad Shah was used as a 'human shield'.

They came out onto the streets and staged a protest soon after the incident.