4 policemen wounded in militant attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir

At least four Indian policemen were wounded, two of them critically, Sunday after militants attacked their vehicle in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.

The attack was carried out near Qazigund town of Kulgam district, about 72 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"This evening militants fired upon a police vehicle at village Bonigam here, wounding four policemen," a police official posted in Qazigund told Xinhua. "Of the wounded policemen, the condition of two was stated to be critical."

Police officials said the policemen were on a visit to the village in connection with some local dispute, when militants attacked them.

The wounded policemen were immediately removed to nearest medical facility, wherefrom they were referred to Srinagar for specialized treatment.

"All the four policemen had bullet wounds but condition of two of them was critical," a health official posted at trauma hospital Qazigund said.

Police officials said the policemen also fired in retaliation following the attack and the exchange between the two sides continued for about five minutes.

Authorities rushed in police and paramilitary troopers to the village to nab militants. However, none was arrested until last reports came in. Reports said militants managed to flee from the spot after carrying out the attack.

This is the third militant attack in past nine days in the southern towns. Earlier this month militants attacked a convoy of Indian border guards in Bijbehara town killing three Border Security Force personnel and wounding nine others.

Subsequently on June 5, militants shot dead two policemen at bus station in Anantnag town.

Last month four policemen were killed in Srinagar and Pulwama and militants also snatched away two service rifles of the slain policemen.

A local commander of region's indigenous militant outfit -- Hizbul Mujahideen -- Burhan Wani in a video message has warned of intensifying attacks on policemen.

Gunfights between the militants and Indian troops takes 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. Endit