Trooper, two militants killed in Srinagar attack

Attack took place at Nowhatta in Srinagar, close to the historic Jama Masjid; number of militants is not known yet

A senior paramilitary officer and two militants were killed in a gunfight here on Monday, the state police said.

Pramod Kumar, commandant of the 49 Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), was killed and nine security personnel were injured when a group of four militants attacked them in an old city area.

Militants on Monday attacked security forces at Nowhatta in downtown Srinagar, injuring five personnel, and triggering a gunfight.

The unspecified number of militants fired at the security forces in the area which is close to the historic Jama Masjid.

Five security personnel were injured in the militant attack, a police official said.

The exchange of fire was going on.

The attack came as the country is celebrating the 70th Independence Day.