Handwara: Amid fresh firing, stone-pelting clashes erupted between forces and group of youth near encounter  site on Thursday at Shatgund, Qalamabad in Handwara area of north Kashmir’s frontier district.

Sources said violent clashes going on near encounter site following encounter erupted near encounter site.

They said  that the a joint team of army and SOG cordoned off Shatgund Balla area midnight after specific inputs about presence of militants.

A top police official said that at around 3:00 am fired some warning shots towards the suspected spot but there was no respond from militants.

He said that after searches for 6 hours fresh contact was established between forces and hiding militants.

Till this report was filed intermittent exchange of firing was going on.

Meanwhile all educational institutions across North Kashmir have been closed for precautionary  measures.