Monks' murder -- Curfew in Leh

Monks' murder -- Curfew in Leh
UNITED NEWS OF INDIA

SRINAGAR, JULY 13: An indefinite curfew was imposed in Leh town of Ladakh on Wednesday night in view of "high tension" following the killing of three Buddhist monks by militants at Panikar, an official spokesman said on Thursday.

He said militants attacked a group of four monks at Panikar village on the Kishtwar-Leh road early on Wednesday. One of the monks escaped unhurt and reported the matter to the police station. Later the bodies of the three monks were brought to the station for identification.

This is for the first time in 12 years of militancy in the State that gunmen had struck in the Ladakh region. The spokesman said Superintendent of Police (Kargil) Javidjeelani has rushed to the area along with a police party.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has strongly condemned the killing.

Two state ministers from Ladakh, who were on their way to Panikar, had to return from Zojila following inclement weather, the spokesman said and added that they will go there on Friday.

He said the Divisional Commissioner (Kashmir) and Deputy Inspector General of Police K Rajinderan had been camping at Leh since on Wednesday. He described the situation under control but tense.

Meanwhile, twelve persons were arrested from the Muslim and Buddhist communities in Leh following tension on the alleged remarks by Ladakh Buddhist Association vice-president Sonam Gombo against the Quran recently.

The spokesman said the arrested included Gomba.