Four J-K policemen were killed on Tuesday when terrorists belonging to the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit attacked a police post that was established for guarding the minority Hindu community in the Zainapora area of Shopian in south Kashmir, a senior police officer said.

The terrorists fled after looting four automatic rifles from the policemen.

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The killed and injured policemen were of J&K Police and belonged to the Kashmir valley.

Reports said that a group of terrorists opened fire upon the police post resulting into the on spot death of three security personnel and injuries to another.

The injured cop, Hamidullah, was rushed to hospital for treatment in a critical condition where he succumbed to his wounds.

After carrying out the deadly attack, the terrorists, whose identities are being established, decamped with four service rifles from the cops.

Soon after the attack, a joint team of Army, CRPF and SOG launched a massive hunt to nab the terrorists.

Police has identified the killed policemen as Anees Ahmad of Kulgam town, Abdul Majid, a senior grade constable of Ganderbal, Merajuddin of Hajin in Bandipura and Hamidullah of Anantnag.

The Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit has claimed responsibility for the terror attack.

Former chief minister, Omar Abdullah, while expressing grief over the incident, tweeted: “I strongly condemn the attack on the police post in Shopian & condole the deaths of three @JmuKmrPolice personnel in the line of duty. I pray for their souls & for the speedy recovery of those injured in this attack”.

I strongly condemn the attack on the police post in Shopian & condole the deaths of three @JmuKmrPolice personnel in the line of duty. I pray for their souls & for the speedy recovery of those injured in this attack.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) 11 December 2018

Mehbooba Mufti, PDP chief and former CM, tweeted: “Strongly condemn attack on policemen in Shopian claiming 3 precious lives. Bears repetition, violence achieves nothing but destruction. Solidarity with families of jawans .Relieved that no harm caused to any civilians in the minority pocket they guarded”.

Strongly condemn attack on policemen in Shopian claiming 3 precious lives. Bears repetition, violence achieves nothing but destruction. Solidarity with families of jawans .Relieved that no harm caused to any civilians in the minority pocket they guarded.

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) 11 December 2018

Meanwhile, the police has found the body of a man, Sheraz Ahmad Bhat, from his native Kulgam district of South Kashmir. He was kidnapped by terrorists about a month ago.

The body bearing torture marks was buried in an orchard and was recovered by the police on the basis of information received during interrogation of some people.

Sheraz was kidnapped after three terrorists were killed in the area in an encounter with security personnel.