Srinagar
Clashes erupted near the encounter site between the government forces and youth on Thursday in Shatgund Qalamabad village of Handwara in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
Reports said that hundreds of youth assembled near the encounter site in Shatgund Qalamabad village shouting pro-freedom and anti-government slogans, triggering massive clashes.
Government forces retaliated the protestors by tear gas smoke shells to disperse the protesters.
Earlier, a gunfight broke out between militants and the forces after the latter launched searches in the area following inputs about the presence of militants.
As the joint team of forces approached the suspected spot amid firing some warning shots, the militants, hiding in the area, opened fire, triggering off a gunfight.
Clashes were going on when reports last came in.
