Srinagar: Violent clashes broke out between civilian protesters and government forces near the site of gunfight in Astanpora village of Gadapora area in south Kashmir’s Shopian district.

Reports said that as the gunfight ensued this morning, locals youths hit streets and pelted government forces engaged in the gunfight, with stones in a bid to disrupt the anti-militant operation.

The government forces, they said, used tear smoke shells and pellet fires to disperse the protesting youths.

The clashes, however, continued and spread to neighbouring Ratnipora and Banipora villages and were going on while this report was being filed.

The gunfight started in Astanpora village after government forces including army, Jammu and Kashmir police and paramilitary forces launched a search operation in the village following inputs about presence of militants.

As the forces zeroed in at the suspected spot, the militants fired at them triggering a gunfight.

The exchange of fire was going on between the two sides at the tie of filing of this report.