The Jammu and Kashmir police on Thursday said they arrested 15 persons allegedly involved in stone-pelting on security forces after an encounter in Srinagar where three militants were killed.

They said despite warnings, a mob had tried to approach the gun battle site and hurled stones at the security personnel.

“On March 16 at Shankarpora Nowgam Srinagar, three terrorists were neutralised. As per the standard operating procedure (SOP), the site was being cleared to ensure the safety of citizens.

“Signboards were also placed around the site of the encounter to dissuade citizens from approaching the site prior to sanitisation with regard to any left-over explosive from the terrorists,” a police official said.

He said, “However, a large unruly mob assembled from adjacent areas of Shankerpora Wanabal carrying lathis and stones in their hands and pelted stones on the deployed nafri (personnel)”.

In order to disperse the mob, smoke canister shells were used as per the SOPs, the official said.

He said a case was registered and 15 identified persons were arrested.

The Srinagar police requested the people to stay away from encounter sites to ensure their safety, keeping in view the likelihood of the left-over explosives from the terrorists, the official said.