Srinagar: Intense clashes erupted in Pulwama town in southern Kashmir on Saturday following the killings of two militants in a neighbouring village earlier today.

Witnesses said that youth took to streets and hurled rocks and stones on government forces who retaliated by lobbing tear smoke shells triggering intense clashes in the area.

The Pulwama town and adjoining villages are observing a spontaneous shutdown against the militant killings.

Meanwhile, reports said that the bodies of the slain militants have been handed over to their respective families.

The slain militants have been identified as Liyaqat Wani and Wajid ul Islam — both residents of Pulwama — who were associated with Hizb ul Mujahideen.

The witnesses said that thousands of people are marching towards the ancestral villages of the slain militants to participate in their funeral prayers.