Five CRPF men, two terrorists die in Kashmir

Five CRPF troopers and two terrorists were killed here Wednesday when the guerrillas attacked a paramilitary picket in the first terror attack in the Kashmir Valley in three years.

Nine others were injured when a deadly firefight erupted as at least two heavily armed militants entered the play ground of a police public school in Bemina area.

The attackers had apparently mingled with some boys who went to the school to play cricket. The school was shut because of a strike in the Kashmir Valley called by separatists.

A police officer told IANS: "There was fierce exchange of gunfire, and two militants were killed. Five CRPF troopers were martyred."

Three civilians and six men of the Central Reserve Police Force were injured in the attack.

"All the injured civilians are out of danger. Doctors have described the condition of one of the injured CRPF personnel as critical," a police officer told IANS.

Security forces immediately cordoned off the ground and mounted a massive search for militants who may be hidden in the complex.

Today's suicide attack in Srinagar is the first since 2010. No one has claimed responsibility.

The attack came at a time when the separatists had called for protests in the Kashmir Valley to mount pressure on the government to return the body of Afzal Guru, who was hanged for the attack on Indian parliament.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah told the assembly in Jammu about the attack.

Abdullah, who also holds the home portfolio, said the attack began at 10.45 a.m. - IANS