SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, June 25 (Xinhua) -- At least five paramilitary troopers of India's Central Reserve Police (CRPF) were killed and 21 others wounded Saturday after militants attacked their bus in the restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.
The attackers, according to police, were also killed in the retaliatory fire.
The attack was carried out at Pampore town, about 24 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
"This evening militants carried out a major attack on a bus carrying CRPF personnel in Pampore town, killing five CRPF men and wounding 21 others, four of them critically," a police official told Xinhua. "Following the attack, CRPF men also fired in retaliation, killing two militants, believed to be the attackers, on the spot."
The deadly attack triggered panic in the town as locals were seen running for cover to safer places, while the exchange of gunfire between the two sides was going on, reports said. Authorities rushed huge contingents of police and army to the town to carry out searches.
Locals said the gunfight continued for some time, resulting in suspension of vehicular traffic on the road.
The wounded CRPF men were immediately removed to nearest military hospital in Srinagar for treatment.
Earlier this month militants ambushed a convoy of India's Border Security Force (BSF) in Bijbehara town, killing three and wounding nine others.
A guerrilla war is going on between militants and Indian troopers stationed in the region since 1989.
Gunfights between the militants and Indian troops takes place intermittently across the region.
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.
