At least six Hindu pilgrims were killed in Indian Kashmir on Monday when militants attacked police guarding them during their trek to a remote mountain shrine, police said, an attack likely to raise tensions in the region.

Police inspector general Munir Ahmad Khan said the attack was aimed at a police commando group in Anantnag town, which lies on the way to the Amarnath shrine and was teeming with pilgrims. Six pilgrims and three policemen were wounded in the attack, he said.

The attack is likely to raise the ire of hardline Hindu groups tied to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling groups who have long sought tough action against militants fighting Indian rule in Muslim majority Kashmir.

(Source: Reuters)