Two policemen were killed and at least six security personnel injured in twin pre-dawn attacks by militants in south Kashmir's Pulwama and Anantnag districts on Tuesday.
A police official said three policemen, guarding a government building, were shot at in the darkness by an unknown number of militants in Pulwama town. "Terrorists attacked the guard posts at the Pulwama court complex. In the exchange of fire, two policemen were killed. The area is being combed," said the police spokesman.
Two service rifles were also reportedly looted from the picket, said the police.
"The third injured policeman, Manzoor Ahmad, was shifted to Srinagar's Shri Maharaja Hari Singh hospital for treatment," the police said.
Earlier, militants hurled grenades on a CRPF party at Anantnag's Janglat Mandi. "Five CRPF personnel sustained minor injuries. They were shifted to a hospital for treatment and are stable," said a police spokesman.
These incidents came at a time when Muslim devotees across the Kashmir valley were busy participating in Shab-e-Qadr, special night-long prayers held in the holy month of Ramzan. The prayers started around 10 p.m. on Monday and culminated around 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Due to the special prayers, the Valley witnessed traffic on the roads at night too.
Ramzan witnessed no let up in militant attacks, especially grenade blasts, despite the Centre halting search and cordon operations during the holy month. The Union Home Minister announced the cessation of operations on May 16.