Encounter still on, in a Srinagar neighbourhood buzzing with tourists in kashmir
Published on August 5, 2004 By yasir rajdeep In Politics
Express News Service

Srinagar, August 4 In a major attack, militants tonight struck at a camp of the CRPF in the posh Rajbagh colony of Srinagar. This was the second such attack in the past week in the area, that holds several tourist guesthouses and hotels, and could hurt the fragile calm that has seen a return of tourists to Kashmir.

The firing started around 9 pm and was on till late into the night.

Around a dozen CRPF men are believed to be holed up inside the private building. Armoured cars have been summoned, while security forces have given shoot-at-sight orders and asked people in the neighbourhood to stay inside.

Soon after the attack, Al-Madina and Al-Munsooriyan outfits called up local newspapers and claimed they had jointly carried out the attack.

‘‘The CRPF company (that was attacked) is housed in a private building and it’s a residential area. So we are taking utmost care,’’ said IGP, Kashmir Range, K. Rajendra, who is monitoring the operation.

CRPF IG R.S. Rawat admitted that at that point they didn’t have a clear idea about what was going on inside.

While Rawat hinted at the possibility of civilian casualties, there was no confirmed news about any injuries or deaths. Neighbours talked of six wounded or dead CRPF men being carried out of the camp during a lull in the firing. Others talked of an unidentified man driving past in a lane nearby who was hit by a bullet and died. However, there was no confirmation on this.

Comments
No one has commented on this article. Be the first!