Srinagar, Dec 31 : Top brass of the Central Reserve Police Force on Thursday paid homage to four troops killed in an encounter with militants in Jammu and Kashmir.

The four men were shot dead by militants at Sopore region in north Kashmir on Wednesday.

CRPF troopers of 177 battalion were killed and critically injured when militants ambushed a patrol party.

Two CRPF personnel died on the spot while three others sustained bullet injuries.

"Surprise attacks can be made upon us any time. When I say ''us'' I mean security forces in general. Casualties are to be expected but that doesn''t mean that we are disheartened by that or our morale has been lowered in any way," said N C Asthna, Inspector General, CRPF, Kashmir range.

Asthna added that the martyrs returned fire even though they were taken by surprise.

"Of course, we were taken by surprise, they fired nearly 90-100 rounds on us. So the men had little chance. The AK rifle takes only three seconds to empty 30 rounds and if two men are firing this means nearly 120 rounds were delivered in six seconds.

“So there was little which can be done about. Fire was returned that''s why they ran in opposite direction," he added.

Officials say incidents of infiltration by Pakistani militants have risen over the past few months.

According to the official reports, nearly 395 infiltration attempts were reported this year as compared to 342 in 2008. (ANI)