J&K youths clash with security forces after Friday prayers, no one injured

Srinagar: Clashes between groups of youth and security forces broke out in Srinagar and Pulwama districts of Kashmir after Friday prayers on Friday, officials said. No one was injured in the clashes.

Security forces fired dozens of tear-smoke shells on a group of youth who attacked them with stones after taking out a protest march and shouting slogans in favour of the two militants killed in an encounter, yesterday.

The protests erupted immediately after the Friday prayers and were continuing when last reports came in.

A shutdown is also being observed in parts of the district on the second consecutive day to mourn the death of two militants, killed in an encounter with security forces in Pulwama district of south Kashmir. Meanwhile, clashes also broke out in Nowhatta area of Srinagar after Friday prayers, the officials said.

As the prayers culminated, a group of youth, shouting pro-freedom slogans, tried to march towards Nowhatta Chowk but were stopped by security forces, they said. The youth pelted stones on the forces who also resorted to tear-smoke shelling. Some of the youth were also carrying the flags of ISIS.

Officials said no one was injured in these clashes. The stone-pelting clashes have become a routine at Nowhatta after Friday prayers since the last few months. Many times, some of the youth hoist flags of ISIS, Pakistan and militant organizations.