Two police officers found shot dead in Kashmir

Two police officers were found shot dead on Thursday in Indian-administered Kashmir, officials said, a day after suspected rebels wounded three paramilitary troops in a separate attack.

The two officers were found in Kishtwar, about 220 kilometres southeast of Srinagar, a day after they were reported missing in the same area. Local residents reported hearing gunshots early Thursday.

A police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to discuss the matter, told AFP the bodies were found with bullet injuries. He said the incident was being investigated and did not assign blame.

Local legislator Shagun Parihar blamed “terrorists”, referring to rebels opposed to Indian rule, and said the attack would be avenged. Opposition Congress party president Mallikarjun Kharge said he was deeply anguished by the deaths.

In a separate incident on Wednesday, gunmen riding motorbikes opened fire on members of the paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force at a security checkpoint in Kulgam district, wounding three before fleeing, police said.

The shootings came days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised a year with no Central Reserve Police Force casualties in the region. Muslim-majority Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since independence from British rule in 1947, and both countries claim it in full. Rebel groups have fought for decades seeking independence or a merger with Pakistan. India regularly accuses Pakistan of arming and training rebels for attacks on Indian forces, allegations Islamabad denies.