Suspected militants attacked a retired police officer in central Budgam district Friday afternoon with a powerful hand grenade.

The police officer, a retired deputy superintendent of police, his three armed guards and three bystanders were wounded in the attack.

"Mohammad Ibrahim was on his way to the local mosque in Magam town, on the Srinagar-Gulmarg road, when a hand grenade was thrown at him. The retired police officer served as an Imam in the mosque," a police source said.

Ibrahim received serious splinter injuries in the attack.

"Doctors at the Magam sub-district hospital referred him for specialised treatment to a Srinagar [Images] hospital," a police officer said.