Terror strikes Srinagar, two killed

SRINAGAR | NEW DELHI: Fidayeens on Wednesday struck at the heart of Srinagar — Lal Chowk — killing two and injuring a dozen people in protracted gun battle with the security forces. The attack, the first major one in Srinagar after 2007, kicked bottom off National Security Advisor M K Narayanan’s claim that things have improved enough to warrant a further cut in troops in the Valley.

The encounter was on till late in the night, with at least two fidayeens still holed up in hotel in the commercial hub of the city. Police officials said that two fidayeen militants appeared in the area around 2.15 pm and lobbed couple of grenades before firing at a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp near Palladium Cinema. A Police driver was killed on the spot while eight persons were injured. Among those injured were civilians, including a camera person of a news channel, Rauf Ahmad, and three paramilitary troopers.

Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen, a jehadi outfit active in the area claimed responsibility for the attack by faxing a statement to a local news agency in Srinagar.

Incidentally, though violence levels have seen a steady decline in the Valley over the last couple of years, infiltration levels have refused to dip and actually rose in 2009.

Reports say insurgents were aiming at storming the Pladdium Cinema housing CRPF, but could not jump over the concrete fence. They later took refuge in a hotel where police believes they are still holding. Intermittent exchange of fire between the militants and security forces was on as two militants were said to be holed up inside the hotel. The police rescued nearly 100 people from the adjoining area.

Threatening further attacks, the pro-Pakistan militant outfit said Wednesday’s assault was carried out to show that “Mujahideens are still living in the hearts of Kashmiris”. The attack was also aimed at derailing the “so-called political process” in the state, said Jaleel Ahmed, an outfit spokesman, in a faxed statement to PTI.

“The attack will continue on Indian forces and vital installations,” he said. Militants opened fire and hurled grenades in busy Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of summer capital Srinagar, at around 2:15 pm, sending terrified people scurrying for cover.

They barged into a hotel and were still holed up there. The building had been ringed by security forces.