In first of its kind of attack in the last five months in Srinagar city, militants on Friday opened fire at security forces near a four-star hotel in Nowgam area killing one civilian and injuring two others.

Reports said shooting began outside four-star Silver Star hotel when at least three militants tried to attack an Army convoy, but failed.

“They then forced their way into the hotel and started shooting. The militants fled from the spot after the attack,” a police spokesperson said and added a hotel employee Farooq Ahmad was killed and his two colleagues were injured in the attack.Security forces have cordoned off the area and police said they are searching for the attackers.The road on which the hotel is situated is on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway and is route of security convoys.

Inspector General of Police Kashmir Range, S M Sahai told reporters that it was not clear whether the attack was aimed at the hotel or security forces on the nearby highway.