1st LD Writethru: Indian-controlled Kashmir militant attack kills 3 troopers

At least three troopers of Indian army were killed Saturday after militants ambushed their convoy in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said.

The attack was carried out at Pampore town of Pulwama district, about 16 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"Militants today attacked army convoy in Pampore town, which resulted in the killing of our three soldiers," Indian military spokesman in Srinagar, Col Rajesh Kalia told Xinhua.

"The area was cordoned off immediately and a search operation has been launched to trace the militants responsible for the attack."

The attack created panic among the locals in the market, who were seen running for cover to safer places towards alleys, away from the main road passing through the town.

"We heard sound of gunfire while army vehicles were passing through the Kadalbal locality of town," Bilal Ahmad, a local said. "The vehicles didn't stop but many people who were on the road rushed for safety toward inner lanes."

Following the attack, authorities rushed huge contingents of police and army to the town, to carry out searches and nab the assailants.

Reports said the attackers managed to fled from the spot immediately after the ambush. So far no militant outfit has claimed responsibility of the attack.

In June this year eight paramilitary troopers of India's Central Reserve Police (CRPF) were killed and 18 others wounded after militants attacked their bus in the town. However, both the militants were killed in retaliatory fire from CRPF men deployed in the town.

A guerrilla war is going on between militants and Indian troopers stationed in the region since 1989. Gunfights between the militants and Indian troops takes place intermittently across the region. Endiit