Less than a day before Prime Minister Manmohan Singh begins a visit to Jammu and Kashmir, militants today opened fire on an Army vehicle near Bemina on the outskirts of Srinagar, killing eight jawans and injuring 13. Seven of the injured are in a critical condition. ( See pics The vehicle, a senior CRPF officer said, was riddled with bullets. The gunmen reportedly fired from both sides of the arterial road which leads to the Srinagar airport. They then snatched a motor bike and escaped, claim the police. The motorcycle was later recovered, the police said.There are reports that after fleeing Bemina, the militants opened fire at several other places in Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir. The Kashmir-based Hizbul Mujahideen has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack.The Army has cordoned off the Bemina area and is conducting search operations.This is the second attack in Srinagar, the state capital, in the last two days. The city has been on high alert after militants shot dead two policemen on Saturday. The Hizbul has claimed responsibility for that attack too.Security has been tightened in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley in view of the PM's two-day visit. Press Trust of India quoted PMO sources as saying that Dr Singh's programme remains unchanged.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to reach Srinagar tomorrow morning along with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and the two leaders will attend various functions, including the launch of a train service between Qazigund in Kashmir and Banihal in the Jammu region, which will provide an all-weather link to the Valley.