SRINAGAR, 15 November 2005 — Four people were killed and 14 others wounded yesterday when suspected Muslim militants opened fire at security forces in Srinagar. Local police officers said a group of militants lobbed a grenade at Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel on duty in the Lal Chowk area, killing two troopers.
As the troopers retaliated, militants rushed into hotels indiscriminately firing back killing two civilians and injuring several others in the commercial area located in the heart of Srinagar.
“Three persons including two civilians and a CRPF trooper were killed in the initial attack and 14 others including eleven civilians and three CRPF troopers were injured. A Japanese photojournalist, Takashi Sukura was among those injured in the attack. We have surrounded the Punjab and Peak View Hotels in Lal Chowk area from inside which the holed up militants are now firing at the surrounding troops,” Ranjit Sinha, inspector general of CRPF said here.
He also confirmed that the bullet-proof bunker of the CRPF in Lal Chowk was the target of the attackers. Police sources here said six civilians believed to be the staff members of the Peak View hotel are also trapped inside.
“Our first priority is to safely rescue the trapped civilians. We have further strengthed the cordon around Lal Chowk area,” said a spokesman of the CRPF.
The spokesman said one more critically injured CRPF trooper succumbed to his injuries in the hospital this evening. “Two CRPF troopers identified as constable Dananjan Singh and constable Ghanshyam died in the attack while head constable Najamul Haq is critically injured.”
Police said four militants were holed up inside the hotels and an intermittent exchange of fire was continuing. The Al-Mansoorian militant outfit has claimed responsibility for the attack.
— Additional input from agencies
