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Mukhtar Ahmed in Srinagar
The Jammu and Kashmir Works Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar escaped an attempt on his life on Thursday afternoon during a meeting at Delina Barramullah in north Kashmir.
The police said militants fired two rifle grenades towards the venue of the public meeting as soon as Sagar reached Delina to address the meeting.
The grenades, however, exploded in the nearby area without causing any damage.
The explosion triggered panic among the villagers, who had gathered to listen to the works minister.
The people immediately deserted the venue leaving the minister and his scores of security guards on the podium.
The security guards of the minister immediately cordoned the venue as authorities within minutes rushed more reinforcements from adjoining areas.
Two civilians received injuries in the melee.
The minister later addressed a handful of people before being escorted to Srinagar.
The police said tight security arrangements had been made at the venue and from early Thursday morning paramilitary forces and state armed police had been deployed in strength.
Senior police and security force officers accompanied Sagar on his return.
Meanwhile, the police said three army soldiers were killed in a fierce gun battle with militants at Hurpora Shopian in the southern Pulwama district during a massive combing operation.
Sources said three militants also died in the night long fighting, which ended on Thursday morning.
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