Unidentified gunmen attack woman in Indian-controlled Kashmir

Unidentified militants shot and wounded a woman in restive Indian- controlled Kashmir, police said Tuesday.

The attack was carried out at Mir Mohalla -- Gulshanpora in Tral town of Pulwama district, about 42 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"A 42-year-old woman Shakeela Banoo was wounded last evening after unidentified gunmen fired at her," a police official said. " We were told she was fired upon while trying to save her husband, who is a former militant."

According to police, masked gunmen entered her residence Monday evening looking for her husband.

"She suffered a bullet wound in her leg and was initially rushed to sub-district hospital Tral, from where she was later referred to a Srinagar hospital."

Locals quoting family members said the gunmen were looking for Mir and Bano engaged them in a scuffle, and in the melee they opened fire.

Police officials blame militants for the attack.

However, so far no militant outfit has claimed responsibility of it.

Militants in the region usually target families and individuals for their possible links with Indian police and defense agencies. Even people having associations with pro-India political parties are targeted at times.

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