SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, May 1 (Xinhua) -- At least five policemen and two bank guards were killed Monday after militants attacked a bank cash carrying vehicle in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.
The vehicle was attacked at village Pombai in Kulgam district, about 78 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
"Today we have received seven bodies in our hospital. Out of them five are of policemen and two are bank guards," Dr R D Kasana, medical superintendent at Kulgam district hospital told Xinhua over telephone. "All the bodies bore multiple bullet wounds."
"They were brought dead to the hospital," he said.
The vehicle belonged to Jammu and Kashmir Bank and policemen were send to guard it.
"We have reached the spot and are trying to collect details as how militants carried out the brutal attack," a senior police official posted in Kulgam said.
Eyewitnesses said they saw bullets holes in the vehicle, besides blood splashed inside it.
Reports said militants have taken away five service rifles of the policemen following the attack, besides looting currency notes (around INR 5 million) from the vehicle.
Following the attack police and Indian army rushed to the spot to carry out searches. However, the assailants have managed to escape.
So far no militant outfit has claimed responsibility of the attack.
On Sunday evening, a civilian was killed and five people including four policemen were wounded after suspected militants hurled a grenade on a police party in Srinagar.
A guerrilla war is going on between militants and Indian troops stationed in the region since 1989.
Last month the region's police chief issued an advisory to its personnel cautioning them to avoid visiting their homes for few months. The advisory was issued in wake of the spate in incidents of gunmen entering houses of policemen and damaging their property besides asking them to quit jobs.
