SRINAGAR: Four policemen were killed in a terror attack in Shopian district on Wednesday. While two of them died on the spot, the other two were declared “brought dead” at a local hospital.

In neighbouring Anantnag district, two Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists were gunned down in an early morning encounter. Around 70 people were injured in clashes that erupted after the encounter.

At Arhama village in Shopian district, terrorists opened fire on the DSP’s escort party which had gone to repair a police vehicle. Four police personnel suffered injuries in the attack. The militants escaped with three AK-56 service rifles of the policemen, cops said.

The deceased were constables Javid Ahmad Bhat of Srinagar , Muhammad Iqbal Mir and Ishfaq Ahmad Mir, both from Baramulla, and SPO Adil Ahmad Bhat of Zawoora in Shopian.

Jaish-e-Mohammad claimed responsibility for the attack. JeM called it a joint attack by Hizbul Mujahideen and JeM cadres. The entire area was cordoned off and search operations were launched.

At dawn on Wednesday, security forces engaged terrorists in an encounter during a siege by a joint team of the army and CRPF at Bunpora in Anantnag. The militants opened fire when security forces closed in on their hideout, leading to an encounter. The two Hizbul militants were killed in exchange of fire.

“The killed terrorists were identified as Altaf Ahmad Dar alias Kachroo alias Moin of Hawoora Mishipora and Umar Rashid Wani of Khudwani in Kulgam district ,” a police spokesperson said.

“Altaf Ahmed Dar was currently operating as one of the most important militant commanders of proscribed militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen,” he said.

Considered as one of the oldest surviving terrorists in the area, Dar was involved in series of terror crimes, including attacks on the security forces, killings of civilians and cops in south Kashmir.

Locals started pelting stones at security forces to help the militants escape. Clashes erupted in Redwani and Khudwani villages injuring at least 70. Half a dozen people suffered pellet injuries.

