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

A gun battle 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 spokesman N. N. Joshi.

In another clash 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 region which is scheduled to go to the polls in five stages between April 10 and May 7.