3 cops hurt in grenade attack, Hizb ultra held

SRINAGAR: Three cops, including an officer, received splinter injuries after militants hurled a hand grenade on a police party on Thursday afternoon in Srinagar where an alert has been issued in view of Republic Day celebrations even as security forces arrested a Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militant from Kulgam district.

Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror outfit has claimed responsibly of the grenade attack which rocked Raj Bagh area of the summer capital, less than a km from SK International Cricket Stadium where the main function of Republic Day is scheduled to be held.

Official sources said that militants, probably riding a two-wheeler, hurled a hand grenade at Zero-Bridge which remained busy throughout the day and managed to escape before the security forces arrived at the spot.

They said three police personnel identified as Assistant Sub Inspector of Armed police Iqbal Singh, head constable Sonaullah and constable Haris Manzoor received splinter injured when the grenade exploded, sound of which was heard in the entire area. People, including women and children, ran for safety, eyewitnesses informed.

“The injured include an ASI and two cops who were deployed for managing the vehicular traffic movement as the area witnesses the huge traffic rush,” said a police spokesman.

“The injured have been shifted to the hospitals for the treatment of their injuries. They are stated to be stable,” he said.

The attack came at a time when a fresh alert has been issued following intelligence reports that militants can carry out attack on or before January 26. The area remains busy throughout the day and VIPs also travel this route to reach airport. This was the first such attack in recent years.

Militants on 1 January 11 hurled a hand grenade towards a picket of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), at historic Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the summer capital, Srinagar. No one was injured in the attack.
Meanwhile, security forces today arrested a Hizbul Mujahideen militant during an operation in Kulgam district of south Kashmir, official sources said.

They said on a tip off security forces and Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police conducted an operation at village Chahlan, Kulgam today.

During the raids, a militant identified as Mubarak Ahmad Dar son of Abdul Rahim Dar, a resident of Redwani Balla was arrested.

Mubarak, a resident of Redwani Balla is said to be missing since October, last year.

However, he had joined militancy and was active in the area since then, they added.

A police officer said that Mubarak Ahmad Dar was an active militant (category-C) since October last year and was affiliated with Lashkar-e-Toiba outfit.

“A case under relevant sections of law has been registered and further investigations initiated,” the officer added.