5 Indian soldiers killed in militant attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir

Five Indian army soldiers were killed and six other injured Monday in another major attack by militants in Indian-controlled Kashmir in three days, said army sources. The attack was carried out near Hyderpora locality of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir. "Unidentified gunmen this evening attacked Indian army vehicles in Srinagar that were on way to Baramulla town," said an army official posted in Srinagar. "In the attack we are being told five troopers were killed and six others are wounded." An earlier report said two soldiers were killed and five injured. The attack came a day ahead of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's two-day visit to the restive region. Singh is scheduled to visit the region on Tuesday along with Indian Congress party president and ruling coalition chairperson Sonia Gandhi. The incident created panic in the area and exchange of fire was going on between militants and troopers, when the reports last came in. Traffic on the road has been suspended and reinforcements of army and police were rushed in to the spot. Police officials said they have beefed up security in the region, especially in Srinagar in view of this high profile visit. On Saturday, militants shot dead two policeman from a point- blank range in Ameera Kadal of Srinagar. Singh and Gandhi are jointly scheduled to flag off an extension of railway service from Qazigund to Banihal town. A guerrilla war has been going on between militants and stationed Indian troopers since 1989.