J&K: Three cops killed in terrorist attack

A senior Democratic Nationalist Party leader escaped unhurt while three policemen, including his personal security officer, were killed in a militant attack on his house in Sopore town of north Kashmir, a police spokesman said on Wednesday.

Heavily-armed militants opened fire on the guards posted at the residence of Mohammad Abdullah at Yaseen Colony in Arampora, 55 kms from Srinagar on Tuesday night and killed three policemen on the spot, the spokesman said. However, Abdullah escaped unhurt in the attack.

Abdullah, who unsuccessfully contested 2002 and 2008 Assembly elections, is considered to be a close associate of Agriculture Minister Ghulam Hassan Mir, who heads the DNP. The deceased policeman have been identified as Personal Security Officer Abdul Majid Ganai, Farooq Ahmad and special police officer Shabir Ahmad Lone.

The police and security forces reached the spot immediately and cordoned the area to nab the militants responsible for the attack, the spokesman said. Sopore town has witnessed series of attacks on police and security forces by militants in the recent past.