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

A gunbattle late on Monday in Kralpora village left one soldier and two policemen dead and “two terrorists were killed”, Indian army spokesman N.N. Joshi said.

In another clash on Tuesday, a policeman was shot at point-blank range and critically injured in Anantnag.

“The militant also snatched an automatic rifle from the officer before fleeing the scene,” police officer Sheikh Junaid said.

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.—AFP