SRINAGAR: At least one civilian was killed and dozens of others were injured on Thursday in protests against Indian rule in held Kashmir that erup­ted following a gun battle between militants and government forces, officials and witnesses said.

Police said the gun battle began after Indian soldiers and police cordoned off Arwani village, and militants hiding there began firing in an attempt to break through the siege.

As the fighting raged, thousands of people from neighbouring villages ignored government orders to stay away and marched to Arwani in an attempt to help the trapped militants escape.

A police officer said the protesters tried to storm the site of the gun battle, leading to fierce clashes at several places around the village.

Witnesses said government forces fired bullets, shotgun pellets and tear gas to disperse the rock-throwing protesters, killing a young man and wounding at least 40 others.

A police statement said the man died after being hit by a stray bullet.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2016