Srinagar:
Firing continues between security forces and militants in the heart of Srinagar. A policeman has been killed and eight civilians injured since terrorists struck on Wednesday afternoon, entering a hotel lobbing grenades.
Two terrorists are believed to be holed up in the hotel adjacent to the historic Amira Kadal Bridge in the Lal Chowk area. Police have been able to identify them as a local, Usman, and a Pakistani. Exchange of fire between the militants and security personnel is still on, and police say the final assault will not be made before all civilians are evacuated
Police have evacuated some civilians from the hotel, but are not sure if any more are trapped. Over 100 people have reportedly been evacuated from buildings in the area. (Read: 100 evacuated as police fight militants)
The policeman killed has been identified as Mohammed Yusuf, posted as a driver with the Station House Officer of Maisuma Police station. Three civilians, including Rauf, a cameraman with a Delhi-based private news channel, were also injured and have been rushed to a hospital.
There is no clarity yet on which group is behind the attack. A person claiming to be the spokesman of the militant outfit Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen (JUM) called PTI on phone earlier in the evening and said his group had carried out the attack to "send a message that militancy is not over in Kashmir". The police had recently claimed that there had been a drop in militant violence.
"Our three members are involved in the attack. While one of them hurled the grenades, other two opened fire and are engaged in gun battle," the caller, introducing himself as Jameel Ahmad, said.
The militants, believed to be "fidayeen" (suicide squad), initially lobbed grenades on a CRPF picket at Pladium Chowk and followed it up with indiscriminate firing around 2:15 pm. CRPF and police personnel deployed in the area retaliated and the militants, whose number could not be ascertained immediately, reportedly took shelter inside the hotel.
They opened fire and lobbed grenades at the security forces. The whole area was immediately cordoned off. All people, including shopkeepers, present in the area fled to safety, while traffic went off the roads. The entire area wore a deserted look.
The last suicide attack took place in the Dal Lake area of Srinagar in October 2007. Two militants were killed and three security men injured in that incident.
Today's attack came a day after the National Conference-led coalition government completed its first year in office and listed in its achievements, an improved security situation.
Two terrorists are believed to be holed up in the hotel adjacent to the historic Amira Kadal Bridge in the Lal Chowk area. Police have been able to identify them as a local, Usman, and a Pakistani. Exchange of fire between the militants and security personnel is still on, and police say the final assault will not be made before all civilians are evacuated
Police have evacuated some civilians from the hotel, but are not sure if any more are trapped. Over 100 people have reportedly been evacuated from buildings in the area. (Read: 100 evacuated as police fight militants)
The policeman killed has been identified as Mohammed Yusuf, posted as a driver with the Station House Officer of Maisuma Police station. Three civilians, including Rauf, a cameraman with a Delhi-based private news channel, were also injured and have been rushed to a hospital.
There is no clarity yet on which group is behind the attack. A person claiming to be the spokesman of the militant outfit Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen (JUM) called PTI on phone earlier in the evening and said his group had carried out the attack to "send a message that militancy is not over in Kashmir". The police had recently claimed that there had been a drop in militant violence.
"Our three members are involved in the attack. While one of them hurled the grenades, other two opened fire and are engaged in gun battle," the caller, introducing himself as Jameel Ahmad, said.
The militants, believed to be "fidayeen" (suicide squad), initially lobbed grenades on a CRPF picket at Pladium Chowk and followed it up with indiscriminate firing around 2:15 pm. CRPF and police personnel deployed in the area retaliated and the militants, whose number could not be ascertained immediately, reportedly took shelter inside the hotel.
They opened fire and lobbed grenades at the security forces. The whole area was immediately cordoned off. All people, including shopkeepers, present in the area fled to safety, while traffic went off the roads. The entire area wore a deserted look.
The last suicide attack took place in the Dal Lake area of Srinagar in October 2007. Two militants were killed and three security men injured in that incident.
Today's attack came a day after the National Conference-led coalition government completed its first year in office and listed in its achievements, an improved security situation.
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