by Basharat Rashid
Srinagar: Protests and clashes erupted in Pulwama town on Friday following killing of a local militant in a gunfight with government forces in Riznipora village of the district early today.
Youths took to streets hurling stones and rocks at government forces after local militant Ishfaq Yousuf Wani, a resident of Koil village was killed in the gunbattle.
They said that the government forces responded by firing tear gas shells and pellet firing.
The gunfight erupted after a joint team of government forces including Army, Jammu and Kashmir police’s Special Operations Group and CRPF paramilitary forces launched a cordon and search operation in Riznipora village following specific information about the presence of militants there, a police official said.
He said the search operation turned into an encounter after the militants fired upon the search party of the forces, who retaliated.
Picture used for representational purposes only.
