Srinagar: Intense protests, clashes erupted in Pulwama town of southern Kashmir on Friday following the killing of a local militant in a gunfight with government forces.

Eyewitnesses said that scores of youths took to streets and hurled government forces with rocks in the town soon after the news of killing of a local militant Ishfaq Yousuf Wani, a resident of Koil village spread.

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.