Policeman killed in attack on IHK minister

Suspected Muslim militants killed a policeman in an attack Sunday on Indian Kashmirs senior minister, who escaped uninjured, police said.It was an attack on Ali Mohammed Sagar. He escaped unhurt but one of his police guards died in the shooting, the officer said on condition of anonymity.The attack took place Sunday evening in downtown Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir, the officer said, adding that the minister was in the area attending an engagement ceremony for his niece.A policeman and a civilian were also wounded in the attack, police said, adding that the attackers fled taking advantage of the darkness.Sagar was just entering his brothers residence when militants opened fire. He crawled to safety, the officer said. The minister was later driven to his high-security Srinagar residence by police officers.Sagar, who has escaped several previous attacks, is a senior cabinet minister in Indian Kashmir and a senior leader in Chief Minister Omar Abdullahs ruling National Conference.Militants who oppose Indian rule in Kashmir have in the past killed ministers and pro-India politicians.