Militants kill four cops in Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Dec 11 (AFP): Suspected rebels attacked a police post in Indian-administered Kashmir on Tuesday killing four officers, police said, two days after soldiers killed two teenage rebels in the restive territory.

In the latest incident of the region's bloodiest year since 2009, the assailants mounted a surprise attack in Zainpora village of southern Kashmir valley and stole four rifles.

They killed three police officers instantly and critically wounded another, police official Swayam Prakash Pani told AFP. The fourth died later at a military hospital.

"They (militants) fled the spot with four service rifles from the policemen," Pani said. Militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) claimed responsibility.

Muhammad Hassan, calling himself the Pakistan-based group's spokesman, issued a statement to a local news agency saying its cadres killed three "Indian forces" and critically wounded several.