Srinagar: After a brief lull in exchange of fire, firing resumed in Shirmal orchards Tuesday morning where a gunfight raged between government forces and militants since early morning today.

The gunfight broke out between militants and government forces after a joint team of army’s 44 RR and SOG of Jammu and Kashmir police launched a search operation in Shirmal orchards after credible inputs about presence of some militants, a police official said.

As the forces intensified searches towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them triggering a gunfight.

An Indian policeman throws a tear gas canister back towards demonstrators during a protest in Srinagar, May 12, 2017. REUTERS/Danish Ismail

After a brief and intense ecxhange of fire, the firing had stopped and the forces started searches in the orchard.

The firing has started again amid heavy snowfall in the area, latest reports said.

The authorities have snapped the mobile internet services in the district as a “precautionary measure”.

Reports said that intense clashes erupted around the gunfight site and at other places in the district following the news about the gunfight.

They said that youths hit the streets near the gunfight site and pelted government forces with stones in a bid to help militants escape the gunfight. The forces, they said, used pellet fires to disperse the protesting youths.

“Several youth have suffered injuries duirng the clashes and have been referred to differetnt hospitals and primary health centres for treatment.”