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Militants attack Farooq's younger brother

Militants made bids on the lives of two National Conference candidates, including the younger brother of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, in Baramulla district of north Kashmir on Tuesday, police sources said.

Militants opened fire on the motorcade of state industries minister and the NC candidate from Gulmarg constituency, Sheikh Mustafa Kamaal, at Naidergund-Tangmarg at around 3.30 pm (IST), the sources said.

Kamaal escaped unhurt in the attack, the second attempt on his life since electioneering commenced for the first phase of the four-phased elections in the state.

On September 2, militants had fired upon the motorcade of the minister at Khepora in Gulmarg constituency but there was no casualty. Earlier, militants made an attempt on the life of another NC candidate from Sangrama constituency, Mohammad Yyousuf Bhat, at Wagoora, the sources said.

Bhat, who is contesting the election for the first time, escaped unhurt in the attack, which took place at 3.15 pm (IST). The security guards of the NC candidate returned the fire and the exchange of fire continued for sometime, but no loss of life was reported, the sources added.

They said the security forces cordoned off the area and a hunt was launched to nab the militants.

Meanwhile, one person was killed and 28 injured when militants exploded a grenade targeting an army convoy on Srinagar-Baramulla National Highway, official sources said.

Militants lobbed the grenade at an army vehicle, part of a convoy, in Pattan town of Baramulla district. The grenade, after hitting the vehicle, rebounded and fell on the main road, injuring 29 pedestrians, the sources said. The injured were admitted to hospital where one of them, identified as Gurmeet Singh, succumbed to his injuries. No militant outfit has claimed responsibility for the blast so far.

Jammu and Kashmir Elections 2002: The complete coverage

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