2 policemen killed in militant attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir

Two policemen including a junior-level officer were killed Monday after militants attacked their party in Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said.

The attack was carried out in Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"Two policemen including an assistant sub-inspector were killed today when militants attacked a police party in Srinagar's Zadibal area," a police official said. "The police party was deployed on a routine duty to check the vehicles."

Eyewitnesses said the policemen were lying on road in pool of blood. The attack took place after a lull triggered panic in Srinagar.

Following the attack, contingents of police and paramilitary rushed to the spot in an apparent bid to nab the assailants responsible for the attack. However, reports said militants managed to escape from the spot.

So far no militant outfit has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Militants occasionally target police and paramilitary troopers in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

A guerrilla war is going on between militants and Indian troopers stationed in the region since 1989. However, of late Indian policemen too have been trained to fight them.

Gunfights between the two sides take place intermittently across the region.

On Saturday five militants and a trooper were killed in a fierce gunfight in the restive region.

Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.

Source: XINHUA