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J&K Minister, guards shot dead at poll rally

By Shujaat Bukhari

Relatives of the Jammu and Kashmir Law Minister, Mushtaq Lone, wailing at his residence at Tikipora Sogam, in Kupwara sector, on Wednsday. — Photo: Nissar Ahmad

SRINAGAR SEPT. 11. In a setback to the National Conference and to the electoral process in Jammu and Kashmir, a militant today shot dead the Minister of State for Law and National Conference (NC) nominee from the Lolab constituency, Mushtaq Ahmed Lone, and three of his guards in Kupwara district. Seven others were injured in the attack for which the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has claimed the responsibility. Militants also attacked the residence of the Tourism Minister, Sakina Ittoo, and a vehicle belonging a People's Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in Bandipore, injuring nine persons.

Eyewitnesses told The Hindu that the 43-year-old Mr. Lone was addressing a public meeting in Rednag in the Tekipora area of the Lolab segment. Around 1 p.m., a militant wearing a traditional Kashmiri "pheran" (a long coat used in winter) stood up from the women's enclosure and opened fire. People ran helter-skelter as Mr. Lone and his guards fell down. The guards, Bishen Singh, Gulzar Ahmed and Mohammad Yaseen, died on the spot.

"The security forces also ran away and did not retaliate," said an eyewitness, who was standing near the podium. Mr. Lone died of his injuries on the way to hospital near Dragmulla, close to the Kupwara district headquarters. The injured were admitted to hospital.

The LeT spokesman for north Kashmir, Mohammad Shakeel, told a local news agency, Kashmir Press Service, that the attack was carried out by an "anti-election squad" headed by Saiful Islam. "Today's attack was carried out by a 14-year-old boy, Abu Waqas," he said. Earlier, another outfit, Al Afreen, had claimed responsibility for the attack.

A pall of gloom descended on Sogam village, from where Mr. Lone hails, as the news of his killing spread. Thousands of supporters and admirers thronged his house. "We have lost a popular leader, who was simple and generous," said a supporter.

The Chief Minister, Farooq Abdullah, and his Cabinet colleagues, Chowdary Mohammad Ramzan, Ali Mohammad Sagar and Khalid Suhrawardy, have rushed to Sogam.

In the attack on the residence of Ms. Ittoo in Damhal Hanjipora in Anantnag district, four party workers were injured. The Minister was not present in her house at the time of the attack.

In Bandipore, militants attacked the vehicle of the PDP candidate, Mohammad Abdullah Mir, injuring five persons, including his son and brother. The district president of the NC women's wing, Mehra Begum, was shot dead in Baramulla on Tuesday.

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