Indian army troopers stand guard near the site of a gunfight inside India's Border Security Force (BSF) camp in Srinagar, summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir, Oct. 3, 2017. An Indian border guard and two militants were killed, while as three others and a policeman were wounded Tuesday in a predawn militant attack on India's Border Security Force (BSF) camp in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)
SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- An Indian border guard and two militants were killed, while as three others and a policeman were wounded Tuesday in a predawn militant attack on India's Border Security Force (BSF) camp in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.
The gunmen believed to be fidayeen (suicide attackers) militants indiscriminately used heavy gunfire and grenades, while making their entry inside the border guards camp near highly fortified Indian air force station and international airport at Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
"Two militants have been killed and during the searches we have found body of a BSF assistant sub inspector," a police official said. "Three BSF personnel and a policeman were also wounded in today's attack."
According to police officials, three to four militants were suspected to have entered the camp to carry out assault at around 3:45 a.m local time.
"The firing has stopped but we know where the militants are hiding," a senior police official told the media.
Authorities have sealed the routes leading to Srinagar airport and operations at the airport have been suspended.
"Employees working at the airport have been allowed to proceed but flight operations are yet to be resumed," the police official said. "The morning flights were suspended."
Reports said the army used helicopters in the area to take on militants.
Indian home minister Rajnath Singh has reportedly called a high-level meeting at 11.30 a.m. to discuss the situation in Indian-controlled Kashmir.
The identity of the attackers was yet to be ascertained but Jaish-e-Mohammad militant outfit has claimed the responsibility of the attack.
In August this year four paramilitary troopers of India's Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), four policemen and two militants were killed in a similar attack on police lines in southern Pulwama district.
A guerrilla war is going on between militants and Indian troops stationed in the region since 1989. However, of late Indian policemen too have been trained to fight them.
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.
