SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- Four policemen were killed Tuesday after militants attacked a police post in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.
The policemen were attacked in Zainpora village of Shopian district, about 70 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
"Today militants attacked a police post in Zainpora set up to guard members of minority community," a police official posted in Shopian said. "Three policemen were killed on spot, while one was wounded and later succumbed in hospital."
According to officials, the police post was set up to guard houses of the minority Hindu community.
Reports said militants have managed to snatch four service rifles of the policemen during the attack.
Following the attack, contingents of police, paramilitary and army rushed to the spot to initiate searches for the militants.
So far no militant outfit has claimed responsibility of the attack.
A police spokesman said a wreath-laying ceremony was held at district police lines (DPL) Shopian to pay tributes to the slain policemen. Top police officials of the region reached Shopian to lay floral tributes to their colleagues.
Meanwhile, several political parties condemned the killing of policemen and expressed sympathy to their families.
Police officials say militants in the region have been targeting policemen guarding houses of politicians and other protected places to snatch rifles, in wake of weapons shortage within militant ranks.
Last month saw a spike in militant deaths in the region. On Sunday, three militants were killed in an 18-hour-long gunfight with government forces in Mujgund area in the outskirts of Srinagar.
A guerilla war is going on between militants and Indian troopers stationed in the region since 1989. However, of late Indian policemen too have been trained to fight militants.
