Srinagar, July 29
Two jawans were killed and eight journalists and 12 security personnel were among 25 injured in yet another militant attack in the heart of the city this evening, official sources said.

The sources said two jawans, including one of the CRPF, were killed in the attack and at least 12 security personnel, including an officer, were among 25 injured. Eight journalists were also wounded.

The attack, suspected to be made by a two-member suicide squad, was launched at 4-50 p.m. today, merely 23 days after militants fired upon the cavalcade of a minister at the same location on July 6. Till the last reports came in the exchange of fire between the hiding militants in two complexes and security forces was going on.

Panic gripped the central Lal Chowk area at the busy peak hours when commuters were on their way back home after the day’s work and markets were full of shoppers. All the shops and business establishments were closed down in the area and traffic was diverted leading to chaos and confusion among the passers-by.

Three militant outfits Al-Mansoorian, Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen and Islamic Front have claimed responsibility for the attack saying two suicide militants had undertaken the attack.

Those injured included eight press photographers and videographers, who received bullet injuries in the exchange of fire between the militants and the security forces.

They included a photographer of a vernacular daily, Muzamil Rashid, Manzoor Ahmad of India TV, two videographers of the ANI, one member of the Zee News, a photographer of another vernacular daily and a team member of Sahara TV. This is for the first time during the past over 15 years of militancy that so many pressmen have been injured in a single incident.