The Hindu : Fourth bid on J&K Minister's life

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Sep 22, 2002

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Fourth bid on J&K Minister's life

By Shujaat Bukhari

A policeman inspects the site of the blast in Mirhuma, Kulgam, on Saturday. — Photo: Nissar Ahmad

MIRHAMA (KULGAM) SEPT. 21. The Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Minister, Sakina Ittoo, had yet another miraculous escape today when militants tried to blow up her motorcade here.

The senior vice-president of the State Congress, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, also survived a grenade attack when he was addressing an election meeting at Kokernag in the run-up to the second phase of elections to the State Assembly.

Eyewitnesses told The Hindu that Ms. Ittoo, whose Damhalhanjipora residence was attacked only on Friday evening, was on her way home.

The militants detonated a powerful improvised explosive device when her convoy was passing the Mirhama bridge. Ms. Ittoo's escort vehicle, carrying personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force, was hit by the IED and blown up.

An Inspector, Kishan Singh, was killed on the spot. A young girl, Naza, who was passing by, was also killed. And four CRPF personnel were injured.

Villagers said that in retaliatory fire by the Minister's security personnel, at least three girls were injured. On Friday, militants had thrown grenades at Ms. Ittoo's residence but none was hurt.

Today's attempt was the fourth on Ms. Ittoo's life. She was attacked by militants on September 11 and 15. A report said that militants tried to kidnap her a few days ago but police rescued her.

Ms. Ittoo is the only woman Minister in the Farooq Abdullah Government and is seeking re-election from Noorabad.

Her father and former Speaker of the State Assembly, Wali Mohammad Ittoo, was gunned down by militants in Jammu seven years ago.

Militants attacked Mr. Sayeed in the Kokernag area of Anantnag district.

Ten persons were injured, of whom the condition of at least three is stated to be critical. And police said a National Conference activist, Abdur Rehman Daka, was also killed in the same area.

Police colony attacked

Militants attacked the highly-guarded Police Housing Colony at Bemina on the outskirts of Srinagar and took some families hostage. A policeman was killed and four others were injured.

A group of militants, disguised as policemen, entered the colony around 7 p.m. throwing grenades and opening fire.

The fire was returned but two fidayeen (suicide squad) militants sneaked in and took position in Block-M, where at least six families of police officials live.

They have been taken hostage and it has become difficult for police to take on the militants.

The militants opened fire from the colony and detonated an explosion, a terrified resident said over the phone.

In the exchange of fire, three policemen, including a Personal Security Officer of the DIG, Kashmir, Farooq Ahmed, were injured.

Reinforcements have been rushed to the colony where over 200 families reside. The area has been cordoned off and searches are on to flush out the militants.

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