Srinagar, Sept.15 (AP): Police say security forces have killed five militants during a gunbattle, triggering violent clashes in Kashmir.

Police say security forces laid a siege around a southern village in Qazigund area overnight on a tip that militants were hiding there. Fierce gunbattle erupted early on Saturday, and hours later, five militants belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen were killed.

The fighting sparked protests and clashes as hundreds of residents tried to march to the site of the battle in solidarity with the militants.

Security forces fired warning shots, shotgun pellets and tear gas at the stone-throwing protesters, injuring at least six people.