Militants ambushed and attacked a heavily guarded convoy of the Indian army on the strategic Srinagar [Images] Jammu national highway early Sunday. One trooper and an attacking militant were killed even as traffic on the heavily guarded highway remained suspended for nearly two hours.

A senior police officer told rediff.com that militants fired at the passing convoy in Pampore town in south Kashmir Sunday morning resulting in the death of an army trooper and injuries to three soldiers who were taken to army
base hospital in Srinagar.

"Using automatic weapons the militants sprayed bullets at the convoy. The troops escorting the convoy returned the fire and killed a militant," said a senior police officer.

The heavy firing exchanges led to disruption of traffic on the highway as troops searched the area. Senior police and security force officers rushed to the spot. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.