Updated

Srinagar, Feb 20 (PTI): Militants attacked a CRPF convoy at Pampore on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway today killing two jawans and injuring 10 others before they sneaked into a nearby government building, triggering a stand off.

A possible hostage situation was avoided when CRPF and local police managed to evacuate civilians who were holed up inside Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) building located at Pampore, in the outskirts of the Srinagar city.

"We have been successful in evacuating the civilians from the building," Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police K Rajendra told PTI. One of those evacuated claimed that they were asked by militants to leave because they did not mean any harm to civilians.

Personnel of the Army, whose elite 15 Corps headquarters is located barely 10 kms from the encounter site, were rushed to the encounter site to assist the local police and the CRPF. The number of militants, according to the eyewitness accounts, ranges from three to five.

Before storming the EDI campus, militants fired upon a CRPF convoy on Srinagar-Jammu road just outside the campus, officials said, adding, two para-military personnel lost their lives while another 10 were injured. Among those injured includes a civilian whose condition is reported to be critical.

Intermittent exchange of fire has been reported from the spot and the security personnel were ensuring a proper cordon and lighting arrangement at the encounter site to prevent the militants from escaping.

Earlier Report

Dozens of people trapped inside J-K building as militant takes shelter

Srinagar, Feb 20 (PTI): Dozens of people were trapped inside a government building in Pampore area on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway as a militant took shelter in the premises of Entrepreneurship Development Institute after opening firing on security forces.

Militants opened firing on a CRPF bus in Pampore town of Pulwama district, near the EDI complex, which was retaliated by the security forces, a police official said.

Six CRPF personnel were injured in the initial firing by the militants, the official said. He said at least one militant while fleeing from the spot entered into the EDI complex where over 100 students were undergoing training in entrepreneurship when the incident took place.

The official said around 50 staffers were also present inside the complex. "Over 70 people have been evacuated from various sides of the complex so far and efforts are on the rescue the others as well," he said.

Additional forces have been rushed to the area to strengthen the cordon around the EDI complex, he added.