Youth shot during Kashmir Valley clashes (Lead)

Srinagar : A young man sustained critical injuries during clashes between security forces and stone-pelters on Monday in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district after a massive search operation was launched in around two dozen villages, police said.

Security forces used tear smoke shells and pellets to quell the protesters, injuring Fayaz Ahmad Wani, who was shifted to the Pulwama District Hospital, the police said.

The search operation began following reports about the presence of militants in the villages including Putrigam, Rohmu, Rajpora, Matrigam, Goosu and Frasipora.

This is not the first such operation by the security forces in south Kashmir.

These "area domination operations" are usually undertaken to keep the militants on the run and prevent them from establishing a foothold in the region.