SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, June 3 (Xinhua) -- At least two army troopers were killed and four others wounded Saturday after militants attacked their convoy in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.
The convoy was ambushed at Lower Munda area of Qazigund town in Anantnag district, about 77 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
"Today militants attacked an army convoy near Lower Munda on the highway," an Indian army spokesman told Xinhua. "During the attack two of our soldiers were martyred and four others wounded."
The wounded troopers were immediately evacuated from the spot to the nearest medical facility, before being transferred to an army base hospital in Srinagar.
"The troopers are undergoing treatment and we are hopeful they would be stable soon," the spokesman said.
Reports said militants escaped from the spot unhurt following the ambush.
Police officials said traffic on the highway was suspended briefly and search operation to track down the militants was started.
"The area has been cordoned off and searches are being carried out to trace the militants responsible for the attack," a police official said.
The region's indigenous militant outfit - Hizbul Mujahideen (MH) has claimed the attack. A Srinagar-based news gathering agency CNS said HM spokesman called their office to claim responsibility.
On Tuesday two militants were killed in a gunfight in the region.
Last week eight militants, including a top HM commander, were killed in two separate gunfights in the region.
Militant groups opposing New Delhi's rule are engaged in a guerrilla war with Indian troops in the region since 1989. Gunfight between the two sides takes place intermittently.
Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.
