SRINAGAR: Three Indian soldiers and a woman were killed on Thursday when militants ambushed a military convoy in India-held Kashmir, police said.

Inspector-General Syed Javaid Mujtaba Gillani said the militants tossed grenades and sprayed bullets at soldiers returning from a search operation in the southern Shopian area early in the morning.

He said the attack triggered a brief exchange of gunfire and a stray bullet hit the 60-year-old woman while she was sleeping in her home.

Thousands of people chanting slogans against Indian rule in the disputed region and in support of the militant cause took part in the woman’s funeral.

Three soldiers, including two officers, were also injured in the attack.

Locals said that shortly after the firing stopped, soldiers ransacked homes and smashed dozens of cars in the area.

Rashid Ahmed, a villager, said the soldiers barged into homes and even fired inside rooms. Video on social media showed windows of parked cars that were smashed as well as windows of homes.

The Indian army and police did not immediately respond to the allegations.

Published in Dawn, February 24th, 2017