NEWSLINKS
US EDITION
COLUMNISTS
DIARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ELECTION 99
ELECTIONS
ARCHIVES

Search Rediff

9 security personnel killed in Tral mine blast

Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar

Nine security force personnel and a civilian were killed in a powerful landmine blast on Kahlil Road near Tral, south Kashmir, late this afternoon.

Police sources said a minibus carrying the personnel hit a landmine, resulting in extensive damage to the vehicle and killing the 10 men on the spot. Five of the men in khaki were from the Central Reserve Police Force while the others were from the Special Operations Group of the Jammu & Kashmir police. The driver of the minibus, identified as Tariq Ahmad, was also killed. No group has so far owned responsibility for the deed.

Mutilated bodies were scattered all over the place. Seven injured persons lying in a pool of blood were crying for help.

As news of the attack reached Tral town, police and security forces led by Superintendent of Police (Awantipore) Abdul Hamid rushed to the spot and moved the injured men to Tral hospital.

This is the second blast in Kashmir in 36 hours. Yesterday, the chief commander of the pro-India Ikhwan Muslimeen, Faiyaz Mir, and an associate were killed in an explosion at Rakhe Ashm in north Kashmir. The condition of two of his bodyguards continues to be critical.

Earlier this month, four civilians were killed in a powerful blast in Tral town.

Meanwhile, another vehicle of the Border Security Force hit a landmine at Village Khalen on the Bijbehara-Pahalgam road, resulting in serious injuries to four personnel who were rushed to hospital in Srinagar.

Militants also attacked the heavily guarded home of Shiekh Abdul Rashid, cousin of Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, and killed a police constable. The extremists hurled a grenade and opened fire on the policemen guarding the house. The policemen retaliated. A BSF contingent later moved into the area.

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report