J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

J&K minister escapes bid on life
Top militant among 6 killed in Kashmir
Srinagar, July 6
Barely 24 hours after the attack on Ayodhya temple, militants in Jammu and Kashmir made an unsuccessful attempt on the life of Minister of State for Public Health Engineering Syed Bashir Ahmad at crowded Budshah Chowk near here this afternoon.

The damaged car of J&K Minister of State for Public Health & Engineering Syed Bashir Ahmad who escaped bid on life when militants opened fire on his car at Budshah Chowk in Srinagar on Wednesday. — Tribune photo by Amin War

Red alert on Amarnath routes; security tightened
Srinagar, July 6
A red alert has been sounded all along the route leading to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in the wake of an attack on the disputed Ramjanmabhoomi site at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh yesterday, a senior security official said today.

J&K minister escapes bid on life
Top militant among 6 killed in Kashmir

Srinagar, July 6
Barely 24 hours after the attack on Ayodhya temple, militants in Jammu and Kashmir made an unsuccessful attempt on the life of Minister of State for Public Health Engineering Syed Bashir Ahmad at crowded Budshah Chowk near here this afternoon.

Mr Ahmad survived a close shave when the militants attacked his vehicle. Two of his personnel security officers (PSO) and a civilian were injured in the shooting incident, official sources said.

They said the militants fired towards his bullet-proof car when he was on way from Civil Secretariat.

Mr Bashir, third minister to survive the militant attack during the past one week, was rescued by a senior police officer to safety and later escorted to Chief Minister’s official residence.

His PSO Noor Mohammad and a civilian were injured in the firing. Later, security forces present in the area resorted to firing towards the nearby building from where the militants escaped.

Meanwhile, a top ‘commander’ of pro-Pakistan Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) and two soldiers were killed while security forces arrested three ultras and another surrendered in the Kashmir valley overnight.

Official sources said security forces on a tip off cordoned off Dairi forest in the Dangiwacha area in north Kashmir district of Baramulla last night. Few militants opened fire and also hurled grenades. The troops retaliated and in the ensuing encounter a militant was killed.

The militant was later identified as district commander of HM Ghulam Mohiuddin Dar, alias Khadam. One AK-47 and other arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain militant.

In another incident, two soldiers of 5 Jat were killed when a search party was fired upon by the militants at Karwali forest in the frontier district of Kupwara last night.

Militants shot at and wounded one Gulzar Ahmad Sheikh at Lawaypora Narbal on the Srinagar-Uri road last night. He was admitted to a hospital where he succumbed.

Body of one Khurshid Ahmad Thokar was recovered from Paddar Pora Shopian while another body was found at Baramulla. Security forces arrested two militants at Khansaheb and another at Handwara alongwith some arms and ammunition, five rifle grenades, three hand grenades, one UBGL and cash.

Another militant Bashir Ahmad Shah surrendered alongwith one AK-47, four magazines and 120 rounds at Uri last night. — UNI

Red alert on Amarnath routes; security tightened

Srinagar, July 6
A red alert has been sounded all along the route leading to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in the wake of an attack on the disputed Ramjanmabhoomi site at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh yesterday, a senior security official said today.

The official said the red alert was sounded last evening on both the Jammu-Srinagar-Baltal-Amarnath Cave and Jammu-Srinagar-Pahalgam-Holy Cave routes.

The security around the area surrounding the holy cave shrine had been upgraded and put on the maximum alert, he added.

He said the security forces had been directed to be extra alert and intensify patrolling and search operations all along the routes.

The mountain peaks and plains had been completely dominated by the security forces, he added.

The official said the road opening parties searched the areas for improvised explosive devices, landmines or other explosive material all along the national highway and other routes several times a day.

“We don’t want to take any chance. The security forces are fully geared up to thwart any attempt by the militants to disrupt the Amarnath pilgrimage. We are ready to take on them (ultras),’’ he added.

He said the devotees had also been advised to take extra precaution while undertaking the pilgrimage. — UNI

Farooq, Omar for probe into Ayodhya attack

Srinagar, July 6
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah and his son and National Conference (NC) President Omar Abdullah today demanded an impartial and independent probe into the attack on the disputed Ramjanmabhoomi site at Ayodhya yesterday.

In a faxed message from London, Dr Abdullah, who is the NC chief patron, strongly condemned the attack and did not rule out an attempt by the divisive forces to flare up communal passions in the country.

“Muslims have enthusiastically taken part in the freedom movement and always lived in peace and harmony with other communities. They have condemned the incident in strongest terms,’’ he said.

Dr Abdullah said nothing could be achieved by attacking religious places.

In a statement, the NC chief also condemned the incident and demanded an impartial probe into the attack.

He appealed to the people to uphold centuries-old brotherhood and secular traditions of the country. — UNI