Suspected militants stole rifle of policeman in Indian-controlled Kashmir

Suspected militants stole away an assault rifle of an Indian policeman inside a government hospital in Indian-controlled Kashmir on Tuesday, police said.

The incident took place in Pulwama town, about 32 km south of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"A policeman posted as security guard at district hospital here this evening reported that his weapon went missing from the guard room," a senior police official said. "It is believed to be the handiwork of militants."

Reports said five policemen were posted in the hospital and all of them have been taken into custody for questioning.

Officials said the burglars had broken the locks of room and fled with the weapon.

On Sunday, a policeman posted as security guard of Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) leader reported his service rifle was stolen from his place of posting.

Police officials believed the rifle had been taken away by leader's driver, whose whereabouts since then remained unknown.

In March, an Indian policeman posted as personal security guard with a local minister fled with two assault rifles from minister's residential house in Srinagar.

The policeman later on joined militant group Hizbul Mujahideen.

A guerrilla war is going on between militants and Indian troops stationed in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989. Gunfights between the two sides take place intermittently across the 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. Endi