Government forces on Tuesday resorted to aerial firing and tear gas shelling to break up protests during a cordon-and-search-operation (CASO) in Pinglish area of Tral in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
An eye witness said that intense clashes after youth took to streets to disrupt an anti-militant operation launched by the forces in the area.
He said that youth took to streets and pelted the forces deployed in the area with stones.
The forces reportedly resorted to aerial firing and tear gas shelling to chase away the protesters.
An official said that the forces launched the CASO following inputs about the presence of militants in the area.
Militants had last evening opened fire on an army patrolling party in the area. Army retaliated, leading to a brief exchange of fire, said the official.