Over a dozen persons including a police constable were wounded when protesters clashed with government forces in Palhalan area of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Thursday. The clashes erupted after government forces including 29 Rashtriya Rifles cordoned off a part of Palhalan including Tantray Mohalla. SSP Baramulla Mir Imtiyaz Hussain told CNS that they had received inputs about the presence of militants in the area, however, during search operation no militant was found in the area.“As the search parties were retreating, people including women took to roads in large numbers and attacked the armoured vehicles. We retaliated with tear-smoke shells to disperse them, however, the protesters resorted to massive stone-pelting,” he said.Eyewitnesses however said that locals hit to roads after government forces entered into the villages and launched search operation. “A large number of people clashed with forces resulting in the injuries of a dozen people,” said an eyewitness.Locals alleged that government forces targeted protesters with pellets. “Among the injured, a youth received serious pellet injuries who was referred to Srinagar hospital for advanced treatment,” they said.Eyewitnesses said that clashes continued for hours. Divulging information about the wounded persons, Doctors at Sub-District Hospital Pattan told CNS that four persons were shifted to Srinagar hospital for treatment. Amir Hussain with head injury was shifted to SKIMS while Waseem Ahmed, Mushtaq Ahmed and Samiullah (all with pellet injury in eyes) were referred to SMHS hospital. A police constable Mumtaz Ahmed who suffered injuries in leg was discharged after first aid. (CNS)