Militants snatch 3 rifles from policemen in Indian-controlled Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir - Suspected militants barged inside a police post in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir and took away three service rifles from policemen deployed there, police said Friday.

The police post set up outside a hotel was stormed Thursday late evening at Dalgate locality of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Initially police said the weapons have gone missing and they were investigating the case. However, later on it turned out militants have snatched them.

"Policemen are being questioned in this regard and there is strong possibility militants might have decamped with the rifles," a police official said.

Following the incident, contingents of police were rushed to the spot and an alert sounded in the entire city.

On Wednesday a service rifle was snatched from a policeman at university gate in Srinagar. Reports said he was overpowered by militants in the broad day light.

Last month militants barged inside a police post set up to guard a Hindu temple and took away four service rifles of policemen.

Police officials say militants in the region have been targeting policemen guarding houses of politicians and other protected places to snatch rifles, in wake of weapons shortage within the militant ranks.

Last year militants carried out several incidents of weapon snatching in the region.

Militant groups opposing New Delhi's rule are engaged in a guerilla 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.