One killed, 18 hurt as militants attack pilgrims's convoy

Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar

One person was killed and 18 others including three pilgrims and two policemen were injured when militants lobbed hand-grenades at pilgrims's vehicles on Friday. The pilgrims were on their way to the Holy Khir Bhawani temple at Tullamulla. The condition of 10 people including one police constable Ghulam Nabi Shah was critical.

The fair at Khir Bhawani is considered a symbol of Hindu-Muslim friendship as local Muslims have been supplying milk to Hindu devotees who come to pay obeisance to goddess Rangnaya Bhagwati. The tradition, which was suspended after militancy reared its head in the state, was revived after the 1996 state assembly election.

As 10,000-odd devotes thronged the shrine this week, Muslims greeted visiting Hindu devotees and offered them milk and flowers. Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah also visited the shrine.

Militants fired at the security pickets around the shrine on Thursday night also. However, no one was injured. The firing triggered panic among the devotees.