Date:21/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/21/stories/2008072159720100.htm

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2 killed in grenade attack

Shujaat Bukhari

Major dies in counter-militancy operation in Rajouri district

SRINAGAR: Two people, including a tourist, were killed and five injured when militants hurled a grenade at a crowded market in famed tourist spot Gulmarg on Sunday.

Inspector-General of Police (Operations), North Kashmir, B. Sirinivas said the grenade was thrown near a hotel at 5 p.m. and Arun Kumar from Uttar Pradesh died on the spot. A 12-year-old ponywalla, brought here with multiple injuries, died later. The injured were admitted to a hospital in Tangmarg.

Mr. Sirinivas, along with Deputy Commissioner of Baramulla Baseer Khan, rushed to Gulmarg to take stock of the situation.

Reports said the injured were part of a group on a pilgrimage to Amarnath.

No militant outfit has owned responsibility for the attack.

Ambush in Rajouri

Luv Puri reports from Jammu:

A Major was among two security men killed in a counter-militancy operation in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir. Three others were injured.

A search party, comprising Army personnel and the Special Operations group of the J&K Police came under fire from militants in Kunda area of Thana Mandi tehsil of Rajouri district.

Major Bhanu Pratap Singh (29) of 43 Rashtriya Rifles and constable Sanjeev Rana were killed. The injured were identified as Ravinder Singh, Lance Naik Gain Prakash and police constable Javed. They were rushed to the Rajouri hospital. Reinforcements have been rushed to the area.