2 killed in landmine blast

By Shujaat Bukhari

JAMMU, DEC. 4. After two days of relative calm in the Valley, militants struck at two places today. In Baramulla, unidentified militants triggered an IED-induced landmine blast killing two persons and injuring 20; while in Anantnag, a Lashkar-e-Taiba suicide squad attacked a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) battalion, injuring at least seven soldiers.

In the Baramulla blast, one soldier was killed. Among civilians, one was killed and 10 were injured.

Reports said unidentified militants detonated an improvised explosive device in Khanpora around 12.30 p.m. when an Army convoy was passing through. A bus, a jeep and another Army vehicle were badly damaged in the blast. The Baramulla SSP, Mr. Abdul Qayoom Manhas, told The Hindu over phone that one soldier died on the spot and at least 20 others were injured. The condition of at least six soldiers is critical.

Unlike in earlier post-ceasefire incidents, the troops today retaliated, resorting to lathi-charge and firing in the air.

Anantnag attack

In Anantnag, militants belonging to the Lashkar-e- Taiba's fidayeen (suicide squad) struck in a big way forcing their entry into the headquarters of a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) battalion, injuring at least seven soldiers. One militant was killed in the encounter that followed.

The IGP, Kashmir zone, Mr. Ashok Bhan, said a group of three heavily armed militants stormed the headquarters of the 61st Battalion of the CRPF at Heewan Cinema in Anantnag at around 5 p.m., first hurled grenades and then started firing indiscriminately. Four soldiers were injured, of whom two have been admitted to a Srinagar hospital, Mr. Bhan told The Hindu.

One of the three militants was killed in the retaliatory action of the security forces, though he has not been identified. The other two militants were engaged in an encounter till late in the night. One militant has taken shelter in a store room from where he is continuing to fire.

Police sources in Anantnag said at least seven CRPF soldiers were injured, some of them seriously. The guards were taken unawares at the time of Iftar.

A Lashkar-e-Taiba spokesman claimed responsibility for the attack. He told newspersons in Srinagar that the fidayeen squad of the LeT raided the CRPF headquarter and inflicted heavy casualties.

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