Srinagar: Security forces burst teargas shells and resorted to lathicharge to disperse demonstrators who hit the streets when a search operation was launched against the militants in south Kashmir district of Shopian today. Official sources said that security forces and Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police launched a joint operation at Pinjoora in Shopian following a tip-off about the presence of militants.
As the security forces were sealing the area, people, mostly youths, took to the streets pelting stones to disrupt the operation. Security forces resorted to lathicharge which had no impact on demonstrators, they said, adding that later security forces burst teargas shells to chase them away. Clashes between security forces and demonstrators were continuing when the reports last came in, they said. (UNI)