Four policemen were killed and an equal number wounded when militants ambushed a police party in south Kashmir Pulwama district on Friday evening.

A senior police officer said in Srinagar that militants used grenades and automatic weapons to ambush a police vehicle near Rakh Litter village, 50 km from Srinagar, which was returning after a routine guard checking at Shopian.

"Four policemen were killed on the spot and four others were critically wounded. The injured have been referred to Srinagar hospital for specialised treatment," said a senior police officer.

Reinforcements had to be rushed to evacuate the injured and mount searches around the ambush site.

Police said no one was detained. So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.