Jammu and Kashmir: Political Parties Continue With Campaigning Despite Attacks

Srinagar: Unfazed by militant attacks that left 13 people dead on Friday, political parties continued with their campaign in poll-bound Jammu and Kashmir amid heightened security arrangements ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit on Monday.

Dozens of rallies and roadshows were held since Saturday morning by various parties, including the ruling National Conference and Congress and main Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), across the Valley especially in the 16 Assembly constituencies of Budgam, Pulwama and Baramulla districts which are going to polls in the third phase on December 9, police officials said.

They said Independent candidates are also doing their bit to woo the voters and many of them are involved in door-to-door campaigns.

Thirteen people - a civilian, nine soldiers and three policemen - died in the four attacks. One of the sites was Srinagar, where two terrorists had lobbed grenades inside a police station.

Two attacks took place at Tral and Uri. The suicide attack on an army camp in Uri had claimed the lives of seven jawans and an officer. Six terrorists were also killed.

But officials said the attacks failed to dampen the spirit of the people as they turned up in large numbers to hear the mainstream leaders, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Opposition PDP patron and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

Both Omar and the PDP leader were campaigning in Budgam district of central Kashmir. While Omar is seeking re-election from Beerwah constituency of the district, Sayeed campaigned for the party candidates at Beerwah, Khansahab and Charar-e-Sharief constituencies.

PDP MP Tariq Hameed Harra also addressed a public meeting at Khonmoh in Sonawar constituency of Srinagar and is scheduled to address various roadside meetings at Eidgah constituency of interior Srinagar.

BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain also addressed an election rally in south Kashmir's Tral constituency.