The attack on a police bus that claimed the lives of three cops was pre-planned as the armed police team was returning to camp at the same time it usually did after performing routine duties, a senior police official said.

Inspector-General of Police (Kashmir) Vijay Kumar was speaking to reporters at the wreath-laying ceremony for one of the slain policemen. "The bus carrying 25 policemen was returning to the camp, as per routine, when three terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammad opened fire on the vehicle," he said.