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Four CRPF men shot dead in Srinagar

Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar

Four personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force were killed and two others injured in a shootout inside the heavily guarded Meteorological Centre, Rambagh, early Friday.

While sources said the four jawans were killed when militants opened fire on the centre, Srinagar police chief B Srinivas's version varied.

He said that during the change of guard early morning, there was some "confusion" among the jawans who opened fire.

"The others from adjoining barracks also fired indiscriminately, resulting in the death of four jawans," he told rediff.com.

Residents of Rambagh and adjoining areas said they woke up to the sounds of automatic weapons. Tension gripped the area.

"I woke up my children immediately and we took shelter on the ground floor," said Abdul Rashid.

He said he heard cries and CRPF personnel running. "They were firing from all sides," he added.

A third version has it that the killings took place when an irate CRPF soldier went on a shooting spree, and that he was later overpowered.

This incident follows Monday's bomb explosion in which 17 persons including four members of the paramilitary forces were killed.

Meanwhile, Eid festivities were subdued in the troubled valley, mainly because the state government has not paid salaries to its employees. This follows the recent order withholding salaries to employees who are on strike demanding implementation of the Fifth Pay Commission's recommendations.

Thus, the markets in Kashmir, which used to hum with activity for Eid, were near-deserted. "We have no money and the majority of us have to borrow from friends and relatives to celebrate the festival," said Manzoor Ahmad, a Srinagar resident.

Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, for his part, is away in London and not expected back immediately.

Security in the valley has been further tightened.

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