1st LD Writethru: IED blast kills 4 policemen in Indian-controlled Kashmir militant attack

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- At least four policemen were killed and two others wounded Saturday after militants triggered an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.

The IED blast targeted the policemen in Sopore town of Baramulla district, about 50 km northwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"Today militants triggered an IED blast here which resulted in killing of four policemen on spot, besides wounding two others," a police official posted in Sopore town told Xinhua. "The wounded policemen were immediately removed to hospital."

According to police, the militants had planted the IED beneath a shop in the marketplace to target the police party.

Officials said the impact of the blast also damaged four shops in the market, ripping apart their shutters.

Following the blast, contingents of police and army rushed to the spot to carry out searches for militants responsible for the attack.

Region's Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti expressed sadness over the killing of policemen in the attack.

"Pained to hear that four policeman have been killed in an IED explosion in Sopore. My deepest condolences to their families," Mufti wrote on twitter.

Last Sunday fidayeen (suicide attackers) militants in the region stormed a highly fortified paramilitary camp using heavy gunfire and grenades, while making their entry inside it.

The gunfight lasted for around two days during which five paramilitary troopers were killed and four wounded. Three militants who launched the attack were also killed fighting paramilitary.

Militants occasionally target police and paramilitary troopers in Indian-controlled Kashmir and try to snatch their rifles.

A guerilla war is going on between militants and Indian troopers stationed in the region since 1989. Enditem