Srinagar, Mar 2 (IANS): Two local policemen were killed by separatist guerrillas in a hit-and-run attack in Kupwara district of north Kashmir Saturday.

A senior police officer told IANS that militants fired from close range at two constables of an armed battalion near the bus stand in Handwara town, 75 kilometres from here this morning.

"The two constables belonging to the Indian Reserve Police (IRP) were removed to the hospital in a critical condition, where they succumbed to injuries," the officer said.

The area has been cordoned off and searches have started in the town. So far, no arrest has been made in this connection.

Senior police and paramilitary officers have rushed to the town to take stock of the situation.

This is the first hit-and-run attack on local policemen in the Valley this year.

No militant outfit has yet owned responsibility for the attack.

Last month some unidentified gunmen had killed a village sarpanch (elected representative) in Kalantara village of Baramulla district, north Kashmir.