GRIEF-STRICKEN: People gather at the residence of the slain Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister Ghulam Nabi Lone at Sopore on Tuesday. — Photo: Nissar Ahmad

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Minister of State for Education Ghulam Nabi Lone was shot dead by a militant, while CPI (M) State secretary M.Y. Tarigami escaped unhurt in a similar bid in the high-security Tulsi Bagh area here on Tuesday. Two security guards and a civilian were also killed in the incidents, for which the Islamic Front and Al-Mansoorein have claimed responsibility.

Two militants, believed to be a suicide squad, sneaked into the colony, where the houses of Ministers and legislators are located.

According to one account, one militant, along with some visitors, entered Dr. Lone's house and fired at Central Reserve Police Force guard Sonu Prakash, killing him on the spot.

He then entered the room of the Minister, who was talking to members of the public. Police sources, however, said the panicked visitors ran out soon after the guard was shot.

The militant then opened fire, leaving Dr. Lone and two civilians in a pool of blood.

At the same time, the other militant attacked Mr. Tarigami's house after he was denied entry. On being challenged by security guard Abdur Rasheed, the militant hurled a grenade and fired indiscriminately, killing him. Other security personnel retaliated and engaged the militant until he was killed.

Dr. Lone was taken to the S.K. Institute of Medical Sciences here, where doctors declared him brought dead. An injured civilian, Mohammad Siddique, died there later.

The condition of a CRPF jawan is critical. H. K. Lohia, Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Kashmir range, said the other militant escaped, leaving behind an AK rifle and a grenade.

"Both of them had scaled the wall of a nearby college and entered the colony."

Official sources said the real target could have been Mr. Tarigami, whose associate Ghulam Nabi Ganai was gunned down by militants in south Kashmir on Monday.

The militant who attacked Dr. Lone first knocked on the door of Agriculture Minister Abdul Aziz Zargar, who was in Tangdhar to oversee quake relief operations.

As Mr. Tarigami's office, adjacent to Dr. Lone's house, was closed and as there was activity outside the Minister's house, the militant forced his entry there. A visibly shaken Tarigami said: "I was at home with my family members and preparing to leave for Anantnag to visit the house of our slain leader when the militant struck."

Terming the attack a "security lapse," he said the Government should look into it. A militant had come around 7 a.m. to enquire about him.

Tuesday's attacks took place despite a temporary ceasefire announced by the United Jehad Council, an umbrella organisation of militant outfits, in the wake of the October 8 earthquake.

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