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1 killed in Srinagar blast; 4 in gun battle

Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar

One person was killed and five others including three Border Security Force men were seriously hurt in two powerful mine blasts at Eidgah in the old city area of Srinagar this morning.

Elsewhere, in a fierce gun battle at Repore Chadoora in central Budgam district between militants amd security forces four persons, including two militants and an army soldier were killed, while eight other were wounded.

A senior police officer said that during the gun-battle 30 structures, including some houses, were destroyed in a big blaze.

The injured, the officer said, include five civilians and three army soldiers. They have been admitted to various hospitals here.

The police said troops encircled the village around midnight and mounted searches.

During the operation, troops came under heavy fire from the hiding militants.

The area was rocked by explosions and heavy exchanges followed.

In the Eidgah incident, a passing BSF ambulance and an escort vehicle hit a landmine this morning resulting in severe damage to the vehicles and serious injuries to three BSF men.

Later, a Maruti car coming towards the blast site made an attempt to turn back. As the driver tried to turn back, the car hit another landmine killing one occupant who has been identified as Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat. Three others were seriously hurt.

The injured civilians and BSF men have been rushed to a hospital as the police and security force officers rushed to the spot.

More reinforcements have reached Eidgah and the area has been cordoned off.

The police said the searches were still continuing. No one has yet owned responsibility for the explosions.

Meanwhile, an enquiry has been ordered into the mysterious killing of a Doordarshan employee and a police guard at Batmallo.

Three others including two Doordarshan employees who were hurt in the incident are undergoing treatment in a hospital.

The injured employees have told the police that BSF troops manning a bunker at Batmallo had allegedly sprayed bullets on the guarded Doordarshan vehicle carrying employees to their respective places after their evening shift.

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