Kashmir minister claims he escaped guerrilla ambush

SRINAGAR: Kashmir Education Minister and Congress state unit chief Peerzada Muhammad Sayeed Sunday claimed there was a militant attack on his convoy in Baramulla district. Police, however, say a tyre burst had led to the confusion.

Sayeed told reporters on phone: "Militants fired at my vehicle at Potkhah (Pattan) today. My guards returned the fire. Thank God, no one was injured."

Police sources, however, said the local division officer of Mirgund was leading the minister's motorcade in a Tata Sumo when a tyre burst caused panic among the armed escorts of a passing convoy who fired in the air resulting in the confusion.

"There was no militant attack. The minister is safe and has already reached his destination," the police sources said.

The incident took place at Potkhah (Pattan) on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad highway 38 km from summer capital Srinagar.

The minister was on his way to the north Kashmir apple rich town of Sopore when the incident occurred.
On Saturday evening, 14 people, including nine civilians and five paramilitary troopers, were injured in a separatist car bomb attack in Srinagar city.