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Five die in Indian Kashmir gunbattle ahead of polls

A gunbattle late Monday in Kralpora village, left one soldier and two policemen dead.

Afp April 08, 2014

jammu and kashmir chief minister omar abdullah c whose father farooq abdullah is contesting srinagar 039 s seat for the lower house of parliament in india 039 s general election addresses an election rally on the outskirts of srinagar on april 8 2014 photo afp

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah (C), whose father Farooq Abdullah is contesting Srinagar's seat for the lower house of parliament in India's general election, addresses an election rally on the outskirts of Srinagar on April 8, 2014. PHOTO: AFP

SRINAGAR: Suspected rebels in Indian Kashmir shot dead a soldier and two policemen, officials said Tuesday, two days before voting begins in the region for the national election.

A gunbattle late Monday in Kralpora village, 130 kilometres (81 miles) northwest of the main city of Srinagar, left one soldier and two policemen dead.

"Two terrorists were killed," said Indian army spokesperson NN Joshi.

In another clash on Tuesday, a policeman was shot at point-blank range and critically wounded by a suspected rebel in the town of Anantnag, 55 kilometres south of Srinagar.

"The militant also snatched an automatic rifle from the (injured) officer before fleeing the scene," said police officer Sheikh Junaid.

Security has been stepped up across the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir which is scheduled to go to the polls in five stages between April 10 and May 7.