Published: August 31, 2009

2 Cops Killed, 25 Injured in Kashmir Attacks

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Srinagar, Aug 31: Two Indian para-military personnel were killed and 25 others including five soldiers injured in two separate attacks in the restive Kashmir on Monday.

Police said that suspected militants fired from point blank range towards two Indian paramilitary soldiers at busy Lal Chowk on Monday morning. "The soldiers identified as Malik Arjun and Raj Shekhar received bullets on their heads and were taken to the hospital in critical condition. They were declared dead on arrival by the doctors in the hospital," a senior police officer said.

He said that immediately after the shoot-out, police and paramilitary personnel laid siege around the area to flush out the militants responsible for the attack. A sumo driver was arrested and three vehicles seized by the police.

Within 15 minutes after the attack, militants lobbed a hand grenade towards a paramilitary soldiers bunker at Batamaloo, some 3 kms from Srinagar. The grenade exploded with a big bang, causing injuries to 25 persons. Among the injured are three paramilitary soldiers and two policemen.

After the attacks, police and paramilitary soldiers have intensified the security apparatus across Kashmir. The security of the sensitive government and military installations was beefed up and soldiers asked to remain extra vigilant.

No militant group has owned the responsibility of the attacks.

However, police apprehend that the attacks may have been carried out by pro-Pakistan militant group Hizbul Mujahideen.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.