Two police officers were killed in an attack by suspected militants in Jammu and Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Friday, the Kashmir Zone Police said.

The militants fired at a police party at Bandipora’s Gulshan Chowk area. Two police officers, Mohammad Sultan and Fayaz Ahmad, were injured in the attack. They were moved to the district hospital, where they died of their injuries, Greater Kashmir reported.

The area where the attack took place has been cordoned off. The police are looking for the attackers.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed condolences to the families of the policemen who died.

“No words are strong enough to condemn the heinous terrorist attack on our brave Jammu and Kashmir Police....,” he said. “We are firmly resolved to avenge this barbaric action by the enemies of peace and determined to completely dismantle the terror ecosystem.”

Sinha added that the Jammu and Kashmir administration will extend all possible support to the families of the two policemen.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also condemned the attack. “May Allah grant them Jannat and may their families find strength at this time,” he said.

Till November 15, a total of 35 security personnel, including police officers, have been killed in anti-militancy operations this year, the Union home ministry told the Lok Sabha on November 30.

Of these, 24 deaths took place in the Kashmir Valley, according to The Indian Express. With the deaths of the two police personnel on Friday, the number has increased to 26.