Terror attack in Kashmir, 2 policemen killed

Srinagar, July 18: A leading cardiologist of Jammu and Kashmir was critically injured while his two police guards were killed in an attack by separatist guerrillas Thursday, police said.

Guerrillas opened fire at the vehicle of Sheikh Jalal in Nambalbal area in the Kashmir Valley's Pampore town, a police officer said.

"Jalal was critically injured in the firing while his two police guards died on the spot," he said. Jalal was taken to a hospital for treatment.

A leading cardiologist, Jalal was also the director of the valley's only tertiary care hospital, the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences at Srinagar. He had retired a few years back.

He also headed the cardiology department of the institute and was presently doing private practice in Srinagar.

"His condition is critical," the officer said.

Tension gripped the area where security forces searched for the killers.

No group claimed responsibility for the attack, which came a day after a prisoner was killed and his four police escorts wounded in a grenade attack in Srinagar.

IANS