Anantnag: Clashes erupted between government forces and civilian protesters as they inched close to the encounter site in South Kashmir’s Kokernag area.

Hundreds of youth shouting pro-freedom, pro-Islam slogans gathered and started hurling rocks on government forces to disrupt the anti-militancy operation, locals said.

The government forces in retaliation of the stones used tear smoke shells and pellets to disperse the protesters, triggering clashes.

The youth also made announcements in the nearby mosques asking others to come out and help the local militants, locals said.

Clashes were going on going on when last reports came in.

Clashes were also reported from Sagam area of Kokernag district where vehicles of forces who were leading to encounter site came under heavy stone pelting which was retaliated with aerial firing.

Pertinently an encounter is going on in the Larnoo area of Kokernag in which two militants have been killed so far.

Further details are awaited.

Guest