SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Unidentified persons on Friday snatched a service rifle from a policeman in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.
The weapon snatching took place at Makhama in Magam town of Budgam district, around 25 km southwest of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
"In Budgam, a scuffle took place between two groups over some issue at Makhama today afternoon soon after the culmination of Friday prayers. Police reached the spot immediately to restore normalcy and bring order among the unruly groups. However, some miscreants started pelting stones on the police party. During this incident some unknown persons snatched an INSAS rifle and fled away," a statement issued by police said.
Police officials have registered a case and initiated investigations into the weapon snatching.
However, until late there were no reports of any arrests in this regard.
Militants occasionally target police and paramilitary troopers in Indian-controlled Kashmir and try to snatch their rifles. However, so far no militant group has claimed responsibility of the weapon snatching.
