The Hindu : 12 killed in grenade blast

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Sep 12, 2002

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12 killed in grenade blast

By Our Staff Reporter

Jammu Sept. 11. Twelve persons, including a 12-year-old boy, were killed in Surankote town of Poonch district today. According to eyewitnesses and senior police officials, at around 1 p.m., four militants in combat uniforms attacked the airstrip in the town, where the senior Congress leaders, Ghulam Nabi Azad and Ambika Soni, were to land in an helicopter. Mr. Azad was scheduled to address a rally nearby.

An escort vehicle coming to the airstrip was hit by grenades lobbed by the militants. The vehicle blew up, killing 10 security personnel, including 7 from the BSF, two from the State police and one from the CRPF.

Two civilians, coming to take part in the rally, also died after being hit by the bullets fired by the militants. Fourteen others were injured. The attack is suspected to be the handiwork of LeT militants.

At a press conference in Jammu, Mr. Azad charged the State Government with conspiring to eliminate him by not assuring him foolproof security.

"It seems that the Central and State Governments do not have any policy in place for the elections. In this way they are assuring the people that do not come to the polling booths so that the NC again comes back to power."

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12 killed in grenade blast