Jammu/Kashmir: Islamic jihadists open fire in crowded tourist area

More tourist jihad: "Nine die in fresh Kashmir fighting as top rebel held," from AFP, with thanks to DFS:

SRINAGAR, India : Five security personnel and four Muslim rebels have been killed in a fresh surge of violence that saw shooting at a popular tourist spot in restive Indian Kashmir, police said.

Two policemen were killed and a civilian hurt when Muslim rebels opened fire in the Dalgate area of the summer capital Srinagar Tuesday morning, a police spokesman said.

The shooting sparked panic in the busy area, a favorite spot for Indian and foreign tourists.

Hours later militants killed two paramilitary men in a point-blank shooting in a busy marketplace in the Kakasarai area of Srinagar, police said.

The hardline rebel group Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility for the two daylight attacks in a telephone call to local agency Current News Service.