Militants, on Monday, carried out two strikes within as many hours in Srinagar, killing three policemen, including an officer, and decamping with service rifle of one of the slain cops.

Later on Monday, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti paid homage to the victims in a wreath-laying ceremony.

The Hizbul Mujahideen has reportedly claimed responsibility for the two attacks. A Hizbul Mujahideen militant, who had recently returned from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir after 16 years, had been arrested by the army in Budgam district of Kashmir on Sunday. The terrorist attack could have been in retaliation to the arrest.