Police in Indian-controlled Kashmir say two militants opened fire on a paramilitary camp, killing five soldiers and wounding at least seven others Wednesday in a rare attack on the region's capital of Srinagar.
Authorities say the two attackers died in the assault. According to officials, they had approached the base by hiding their guns and grenades in sports bags as they mixed together with a group of local boys playing cricket. None of the nearby children were injured.
Local media reports say the pro-Pakistan militant group Hizbul Mujahideen claimed responsibility. Indian officials also said they believed the attackers were from Pakistan -- a charge Islamabad strongly rejected.
Organized militant attacks on Srinagar have been rare in recent years. But conditions in the Indian-controlled region have been tense since last month's execution of Afzal Guru, a Kashmiri separatist convicted for his role in the 2001 attack on India's parliament.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
Indian paramilitary soldiers move their wounded colleague during a gun battle in Srinagar, Indian Kashmir, March 13, 2013.
Indian paramilitary soldiers take cover as they search a residential area during a gun battle in Srinagar, Indian Kashmir, March 13, 2013.
Indian paramilitary soldiers take cover during a gun battle in Srinagar, Indian Kashmir, March 13, 2013.
Indian police take cover during a gun battle in Srinagar, India, March 13, 2013.