Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 4: Day after three militants were killed by security forces during a gunfight, a spontaneous shutdown was observed by people in Tral and Awantipora towns of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district amid stone-throwing clashes.
All the shops and business establishments were closed in Tral, Awantipora and its adjoining localities. Following Friday congregation prayers, hundreds of people staged a protest in Tral and clashed with security forces for over an hour, they said.
Police fired teargas canisters towards the protesters who were hurling bricks and stones on the security personnel. However, no one was injured during the clashes. Three local Hizbul Mujahideen militants were gunned down by security forces during an overnight gunfight at Dadsara village of Tral sub-district yesterday.
Meanwhile, dozens of masked youths appeared outside Jama Masjid here in Old City’s Nowhatta area after Friday prayers and staged a protest. The protesters waved flags of Islamic State and hurled stones towards security forces personnel who were additionally deployed there.
As the clashes ensued between the two sides, police fired several teargas canisters and pepper gas grenades towards the stone-throwers. The forces also chased away the protesting youth but they re-grouped themselves and pelted stones.
The clashes later spread to Gojwara and Rajouri Kadal neighbourhoods and resulted in disruption of commercial activities in these areas. The traffic movement was also hit due to the clashes.
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