Srinagar: Atleast 20 civilians were injured during clashes with the government forces following a cordon-and-search-operation (CASO) in Khudwani village of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Saturday.

Reports said that scores of the youth from Khudwani and its adjoining areas took to streets and clashed with the forces during CASO. Forces resorted to tear gas and pellets to chase away the protestors, triggering more clashes.

They said that more than twenty people received injuries during clashes which were going on when reports last came in.

A doctor at Qoimoh PHC confirmed that they received seventeen patients having pellet and shell injuries.

He added that one youth with eye injury was referred to Srinagar for advanced treatment.

A senior Police officer said that the CASO was launched following inputs about the presence of militants in the area.

“The operation was going on when the reports last came in though no contact was established with militants so far,” he said.