SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) --Militants barged inside a police post in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir and took away two service rifles of the policemen deployed there, police said Monday.

The police post set up at the house of a retired police officer was stormed Sunday night in Budgam district, 15 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"Last night militants barged inside the residence of a retired police officer at Wathoora-Gopalpora in Chadoora here. The gunmen beat policemen to pulp and later snatched their service rifles," a police official posted in Budgam said.

Following the incident, contingents of police and paramilitary were rushed to the area and an alert sounded in the entire district.

"We have launched a massive search operation to trace militants responsible for the weapon snatching and recover the rifles" the police official said.

Police officials say militants in the region have been targeting policemen guarding houses of politicians and other protected places to snatch rifles, in the wake of weapons shortage within militant ranks.

Meanwhile, militant outfit Jaish-e-Muhammad has claimed responsibility for the attack and released pictures of looted rifles on social media.