Pakistan-based Jamiatul Mujahideen claims responsibility for attack on Minister

SRINAGAR: Pakistan-based Jamiatul Mujahideen today claimed responsibility for the attack on Jammu and Kashmir Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar saying it was in retaliation to NC president Farooq Abdullah's advocacy for reopening liquor shops in the Valley.

The "Al Jabbar" squad of the outfit carried out the attack on Sagar last night with the aim of killing the Minister, Jamil Ahmad, spokesman of Jamiat, said in a faxed statement.

"The attack was carried out as a reaction to the shameful statement of Farooq Abdullah for reopening of cinema halls and liquor shops," he said.

He warned of attacks in future on the National Conference and other "pro-India" parties in Kashmir.

One policeman was killed and three others, including a civilian, were injured when militants made an abortive bid on the life of Rural Development Minister in Nawab Bazaar area in the old city where he had gone to attend a family function.

Security has been beefed up in Srinagar city as police stepped up random checking of vehicles following the attack.