Fidayeen attack unexpected: Mahant Deepender Giri

Srinagar, Oct 5 (UNI) Mahant Deepinder Giri, the custodian of the holy mace of Lord Shiva, said today the fidayeen attack on the heavily-guarded Dashnami Akhara building here was unexpected and should not have taken place in the holy month of Ramzan.

The Mahant told UNI over phone, ''it is unfortunate and came as a surprise to all of us. This (the attack) was unexpected and should not have taken place in the holy month of Ramzan.'' However, he said the attack was more on security forces guarding the building then the historic temple.

Seven security personnel and two fidayeen were among ten people killed and 17 others, including four civilians, wounded in the 24-hour-long gunbattle which ensued after militants made an abortive bid to storm the Dashnami Akhara, housing the holy Mace of Lord Shiva in Srinagar yesterday.

''They (militants) should avoid such attacks in the holy month of Ramzan,'' said the Mahant who recently resigned from the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) headed by Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha following the controversy over raising of the ''artificial'' Shivalingam at the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir and over the proposal to extend the duration of the pilgrimage for one full year.

Mahant Giri said several people, including shopkeepers, bank employees and himself, were held up in the temple premises,.

He said earlier also few abortive attempts were made to storm the temple complex from where the holy mace leaves for the Amarnath cave shrine every year.

Without mentioning the Kashmir issue, the Mahant called for resolving the ''matter'' permanently through a dialogue process in peaceful manner.

''Till the issue is resolved, these incidents (attacks) are bound to happen,'' he said.

Mahant Giri appealed to all to maintain calm and uphold the rich traditions of communal amity and brotherhood.

UNI AG RP KN1815