Clashes in Srinagar’s old city after Friday prayers

Srinagar: Clashes erupted in old city areas here after Friday prayers as groups of youth pelted stones at security personnel and displayed Islamic State and Pakistani flags, police said.

Stone-pelting youth took to streets in Nowhatta area and other places, engaging security forces in pitched battles.

The protesting youths also displayed Pakistani and Islamic State flags.

Police used tear-smoke shells to quell the protestors who kept on regrouping in the lanes and bylanes of the densely-populated areas.

Some photo journalists covering the clashes were injured during the protests.

A senior police officer said security forces were instructed to exercise restraint while dealing with the mobs.

Sporadic clashes were continuing in the area till late afternoon.

IANS