Former union minister escapes bid on life, four killed in J

Srinagar, Sep 12 (UNI) Former union minister Mohammad Maqbool Dar had a narrow escape when militants triggered a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) targeting his vehicle in south Kashmir this afternoon, official sources said.

Elsewhere in Jammu and Kashmir a couple and two militants were killed and two soldiers injured while security forces averted a major tragedy and an ultra surrendered overnight.

The sources said militants detonated a powerful IED at Kralpora-Sheikhpora near Bijbehara in south Kashmir district of Anantnag this afternoon when the vehicle of Mr Dar passed the area.

However, the explosion took place seconds after his vehicle crossed the spot, sources said, adding two persons were injured. Mr Dar, escaped unhurt, sources added.

Mr Dar, who is a former union minister of state for Home, was on way to Bijbehara after distributing relief among the flood affected people at Kulgam.

An official spokesman said security forces killed two militants in an encounter at Malangam in north Kashmir last night. The encounter ensued after a search party was attacked by the militants.

Militants shot dead one Jamal Din and his wife Guddu Begum in their house at Thandi Dhok in Rajouri district of Jammu region last night.

He said two soldiers were injured when militants attacked a party at Gujarpathi in the frontier district of Kupwara. Militants later managed to escape under the cover of darkness.

Police averted a major tragedy when they detected and defused a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by militants near the main gate of Chest Disease Hospital at Bakshi Nagar.

A militant surrendered alongwith arms and ammunition at Baramulla last night.

Security forces recovered a live hand grenade from a vehicle at Barthana during a routine checking today.

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