The Hindu : National : Militants attack Army vehicle

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 26, 2005

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National

Militants attack Army vehicle

By Our Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR JAN. 25. Even as the authorities strove to ensure unprecedented security arrangements in Srinagar and other district headquarters in the Kahmir Valley on the eve of Republic Day celebrations, militants struck in Anantnag. They exploded an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on the Khanabal-Mattan road as a security force vehicle was passing by. Three security force personnel were injured and the vehicle was damaged. An Army patrol detected another IED on the same route and a bomb disposal squad was rushed to the spot to defuse it.

In Pulwama district, militants hurled a grenade at security forces but no one was injured. The Army, however, said that with the arrest of two militants an attempt to target civilians ahead of Republic Day had been foiled in Anantnag district. The two militants were caught as they were about to throw grenades at a crowded bus stand in the town yesterday.

Brig. A. S. Nandal, Commander of 1 sector Rashtriya Rifles, told media persons that two hand-grenades were recovered from the militants.

The authorities have, meanwhile, further increased security in Srinagar and other major towns fearing `fidayeen' attacks and also in view of the separatists' call for a general strike to mark January 26 as "black day." Soldiers in full battle gear patrolled the congested streets of Srinagar, particularly the Bakshi Stadium area where the main Republic Day function will be held tomorrow. All roads leading to the stadium have been closed to pedestrian and vehicular movement. Javaid Mukhdoomi, Inspector-General of Police (Kashmir zone) said they were not taking any chances as there was a suicide attack in the vicinity of Bakshi Stadium on January 16.

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