2 jawans killed in twin militant attacks near J-K Assembly

SRINAGAR: Two CRPF personnel were shot dead and 12 people injured today in twin-attacks by militants in a high-security area in the heart of the city, barely half a kilometre from Jammu and Kashmir Assembly complex.

Armed with guns and grenades, the militants struck almost simultaneously in crowded Lal Chowk and Batmaloo areas at around 1 PM when the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly went for a recess after completing the morning session, officials said.

Two CRPF jawans identified as Raj Shekhar and Malik Arjun of the 28th battalion were fatally shot in the head from point blank range by militants outside a bank at Lal Chowk, sparking panic in the city.

While authorities were busy restoring order in Lal Chowk, militants within no time struck a kilometre away at Batmaloo, hurling a grenade at a moving CRPF vehicle outside Fire and Emergency Services headquarters. 12 persons including four security personnel were injured in the explosion.

The injured were rushed to nearby SMHS Hospital where condition of two of the civilians was stated to be "critical".

Jamiat-Ul-Mujahideen (JUM) claimed responsibility for the Lal Chowk attack.

"Our activists carried out the attack in Lal Chowk," a caller claiming to be a spokesman of JUM said. He, however, claimed that they were not involved in Batmaloo strike.

The two attacks came at a time when security has been beefed up in the area in view of the ongoing session of the Assembly. A double-strike by militants in the area on August 1 had left two security personnel dead.