Srinagar: In an audacious attack, gunmen attired in Pherans (Cloak) helped a Pakistani LeT militant escape by firing at the police party escorting him to hospital here on Tuesday, leaving two policemen dead.

Authorities have sounded a high alert in the city.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti while offering her condolences wrote on Twitter, “Pained to hear that two more brave policemen lost their lives in an attack in Srinagar today. My heart goes out to their families and loved ones.” Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, “Two J&K policemen killed by terrorists inside Srinagar’s premier hospital. Heartfelt condolences to the families of Constables Mushtaq & Babar.” According to police, two militants carried out the attack to help Pakistani militant, Naveed Jat alias Abu Hunzullah, escape when he was being taken to the S.M.H.S hospital for a medical check-up from Srinagar central jail in the morning.

Hunzullah escaped when the waiting militants fired at the police party outside the hospital. One policeman was killed, while another was injured, and died later in hospital.

“Naveed, a resident of Multan in Pakistan, had joined the LeT in 2011 and was active in the Valley for four years before he was arrested in Kulgam district in 2014.

“He was a close associate of Abu Qasim, the LeT commander, who was killed in 2015 by the security forces in Kulgam district,” police said.

Police refuted media reports that the escaped militant had snatched the rifle of a policeman before escaping.

The area around the hospital was sealed.

Vehicles moving in the city were being searched to trace the escaped LeT terrorist.

All exit points from Srinagar city were also sealed as vehicles going to urban and rural areas were being checked to trace the LeT terrorist.

Head Constable Mushtaq Ahmad was killed in the attack, while Constable Babar Ahmad, who was injured, died later.

Indian and Pakistani troops traded heavy fire Tuesday on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district after Pakistan army resorted to unprovoked shelling and firing, defence sources said.

“They are using small arms, automatics and mortars to target defence and civilian facilities in Tarkunde and Manjakote areas of Bhimber Gali sector of Rajouri. Indian positions are effectively and strongly retaliating and heavy firing exchanges are going on between the two sides,” said a source.

Pakistan Army had targeted a post of the Indian Army in the same sector on Sunday, killing four soldiers including a captain.

Authorities on Monday ordered closure of 84 schools within five km of the LoC in Rajouri district for three days.

Separately, landslides in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district on Tuesday blocked the Srinagar-Jammu national highway.

The landslides occurred in Markote, a Traffic Department official said. “Restoration process has started.” The highway is likely to be operational by Tuesday afternoon, he added.

Day temperatures continued to improve in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, while night temperatures remained below the freezing point in the valley.

“Monday’s maximum was 14.1 in Srinagar and 21.2 in Jammu. It is likely to be bright and sunny till Thursday. The day temperatures may improve further,” the Met said.

The minimum temperature was minus 3.5 in Srinagar, while it was 6.5 in Jammu on Tuesday.