Stepping up their activity two days ahead of the second phase of Lok Sabha elections in the state, militants on Tuesday blew up a TATA Sumo in the border district of Poonch killing six persons. The victims included three members of the famous Marah Village Defence Committee, who helped the Army flush out militants from Hill Kaka during Operation Sarp Vinash in 2003. Sources said the explosion appeared to be aimed at sending a warning to deter people from casting their vote. The Lashkar-e-Toiba and Hizbul Mujahideen have already warned people who exercised their right to franchise.

Eight other passengers, including women and children, were injured in what may be called a major attack by terrorists in the area in the recent past. It is the second time since April 16 that militants made their presence felt in the area. During polling at Jammu-Poonch constituency in the first phase, militants had opened fire on a polling station at Harhi Mehrot. No one was injured in the incident. The blast took place at around 4.30 pm when the vehicle reached Burz Gali near Buffliaz. The victims were returning from Surankote.