4 troopers wounded in militant attack on army convoy in Indian-controlled Kashmir

At least four Indian army troopers were wounded Saturday after militants attacked an Indian army convoy in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said.

The army convoy was attacked at Bemina bypass road in outskirts of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"Militants attacked army vehicles this afternoon at Bemina bypass area, wounding four personnel," an Indian army official said. "The attackers fled the spot immediately."

Militants have not suffered any damage in the attack.

The wounded troopers were immediately evacuated to hospital.

"We have removed the wounded troopers to army base hospital here and they are undergoing treatment," the official said.

The gunfire which lasted for a brief moment triggered panic in the area.

Locals said they heard sound of gunfire and ran away from the spot to save themselves.

"The army vehicles were plying on the road and suddenly I heard sound of gunfire and saw people running away," Ishtiyaq Ahmad, a local resident told Xinhua. "I too ran away to save myself."

Following the attack contingents of police and army were rushed to the locality to apprehend militants responsible for the attack.

So far no militant outfit has claimed responsibility of the attack.

The attack cam a day ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the restive region. According to local government officials, Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the Chenani-Nashri tunnel in Udhampur on Sunday. The all weather 9.2 km long tunnel built on Srinagar- Jammu highway will reduce the distance on the 294 km stretch by around 41 km.

The highway connects Muslim majority areas of the region to Jammu city and from there to mainland India.

Separatist groups opposing New Delhi's rule in the region have called for a complete shutdown to protest Modi's scheduled visit.

 Source: Xinhua