4 injured in abortive attack by Al-Mansoorain fidayeen in Srinaga

Srinagar, Oct 4 (UNI) Four persons were wounded in a heavy exchange of fire between security forces and militants of the Al-Masoorain outfit, who made an abortive bid to storm the heavily-guarded Dashnami Akhara building, housing the holy Mace of Lord Shiva, near here today.

Earlier, one person was presumed dead after he was hit by a bullet and fell on the road near the gate of the Standard Hotel in which the militants are holed up. However, he was taken to hospital where doctors declared him alive and operated upon him. However, he was still unconscious.

Sources said two other persons were also injured in the firing.

A driver was also injured at Dalgate, about two km from the spot, after a stray bullet, believed to be fired by the security forces in the air at Budshah Chowk, hit him.

A UNI correspondent saw security force trying to storm the first floor of the hotel after hurling a couple of tear-smoke shells inside the building, while militants hurled hand grenades from the hotel and also opening fire with automatic weapons on the security forces near the main gate of the Akhara building.

Two security force vehicles were damaged in the attack.

A senior security force official said the militants were still opening fire from inside the hotel, adding the security force personnel were trying to move towards the first floor, but handicapped by lack of knowledge as to the exact location of the militants inside the hotel.

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