Militants on Sunday shot dead a Central Reserve Police Force officer and critically injured a jawan in a busy market in the heart of Srinagar [Images].

Sub-Inspector Mittai Lal was killed and constable Roop Kishore was injured when militants opened fire on them while they were patrolling the crowded Gonikhan Market near Amirakadal around 1410 IST, police sources said.

Both the personnel were fired by the militants from point blank range causing instant death of Lal, while constable Kishore was shifted to hospital where he is battling for life.

The militants escaped taking advantage of panic that followed the shooting, the sources said.

Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit claimed responsibility for the attack.

Confirming the killing of CRPF officer and injuries to another in the shooting, DIG S R Ojha said CRPF personnel exercised utmost restraint to avoid civilian casualty.

The militants took advantage of heavy movement of the civilians, he said, adding the militants were believed to be hiding in a nearby shopping complex and opened fire when the CRPF men were patrolling.

He said the whole area was cordoned off by the troops and a hunt has been launched to nab the militants.

Meanwhile, a shopkeeper dealing with scrap was injured in an explosion outside his house at Batmaloo.     

The shop owner Irshad Ahmad Dar was busy separating iron when the blast occurred, they said.

Sources added that he was admitted to the SMHS hospital where his condition was stated to be stable.

In another incident, militants shot at and injured one Mohammad Shafi Bhat at village Ukai in Kulgam area of Anantnag district.

(With PTI inputs)