Militants carried out a fidayeen attack on a CRPF camp stationed in Palladium cinema in Lal Chowk area killing four people and injuring 14 others on Monday.
SRINAGAR: Militants carried out a fidayeen (suicidal) attack on a CRPF camp stationed in Palladium cinema in Lal Chowk area killing four people including two para-military soldiers and injuring 14 others on Monday.
Two fidayeens were believed to have taken shelter in a nearby hotel with security forces launching an offensive to flush them out. Meanwhile over 150 civilians holed-up in nearby buildings were rescued by the troops.
The incident occurred a day after the Delhi Police detailed the involvement of Lashkar-e-Tayiba in the serial blasts on October 29 that left 64 people dead and over 200 injured.
A group of militants lobbed a grenade at the CRPF camp at approx 1530 hrs, followed by heavy firing in which one jawan and two civilians died on the spot. Thirteen other persons including some CRPF jawans and a Japanese photo-journalist suffered injuries.
The militants tried to flee the scene while paramilitary soldiers chased them. They later took shelter in a hotel and fired on the soldiers. Security forces cordoned off the area and started evacuating civilians from nearby buildings before launching the final assault. The operation was in progress till this report was filed. The final operation will be launched on Tuesday.
Inspector General of CRPF, operations, SS Sandu said they have cordoned off the whole area and they are trying to flush out militants. "We are making all our efforts to eliminate the ultras." This is the second incident in the past one month when militants have struck the heart of the city. Last month militants killed minister of state for education, Ghulam Nabi Lone in his house and later the assassin made good his escape.
"There is no security lapse today. Militants can strike anywhere and today they have targeted Lal Chowk. But we are capable of handling this operation", said Sandu.
The attack was carried out at a time when Lal Chowk area was bustling with activity. "My wife had gone to purchase wool for children and when this incident occurred she took shelter in one of the houses. I am talking to her on the cell phone and she is very tense and does not have any idea about her escape", said Altaf Ahmad Qureshi, who was pleading with security forces to rescue his wife.
Meanwhile, AlMansurian has claimed responsibility for the incident.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}