(Bilal Ahmad)

Sopore,05 May : Clashes broke out between youth and government forces in North Kashmir’s Sopore soon after Eid prayer, witnesses said.

According to the witnesses soon after Eid prayer scores of youth assembled outside Markazi Jamia Masjid Sopore shouting pro- freedom and anti-India slogans, however as the protesting youth tried to march towards main chowk area, they were stopped by the deployed forces there.

Witnesses said that some youth among the protesters pelted rocks and stones upon the forces.

The forces retaliated by lobbing scores of tear smoke shells and chilly gas shells to disperse them, witnesses added.

The clashes in the area continued for several hours.

Meanwhile, Eid prayers were not held at Eid Gah Sopore because of overnight rains, while as Eid prayers were offered at Markazi Jamia Masjid Sopore.