Cop killed,3 hurt as terrorists strike Srinagar

Three civilians,including Rauf,a cameraman of a Delhi-based private news channel,were also injured and have been rushed to a hospital,they said.

The terrorists are believed to be holed up in the hotel adjacent to historic Amira Kadal bridge in Lal Chowk area. The police had recently claimed that there had been a drop in militant violence.

Exchange of fire between the terrorists and the security personnel is continuing,the sources said. Grenade explosions and random gun-shots were heard,triggering panic among people.

The terrorists,believed to be “Fidayeen” (suicide squad),initially lobbed grenades on a CRPF picket at Pladium Chowk and followed it by indiscriminate firing around 2.15 pm.

The CRPF and police personnel deployed in the area retaliated and the militants,whose number could not be ascertained immediately,reportedly took shelter inside a hotel. They opened fire and lobbed grenades on the security forces.

The whole area was immediately cordoned off to neutralize the militants,a police officer said.

Immediately after the attack,people,including shopkeepers,present in the area fled to safety,while traffic went off the roads.

The entire area wore a deserted look with reinforcements rushing to the scene to tackle the situation arising out of the attack in the valley in more than two years.

The last suicide attack was carried out in Dal Lake area of Srinagar in October 2007 in which two terrorists were killed and three securitymen injured.

Wednesday’s attack came a day after the National Conference-led coalition government completed its first year in office and listed in its achievements,improved security situation.