Bid to assassinate Azad foiled in Kashmir

Bandipora, Apr 26 (UNI) A Hizbul Mujahideen plot to assassinate Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad during his visit to this newly-created district today was foiled by the security forces with the arrest of three militants.

Sources said the Hizb had planned to assassinate Mr Azad when he visited Bandipora to lay the foundation stone of a degree college here during the day.

They said the Hizb militants had planted an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) somewhere near the venue of the public meeting.

However, the security forces foiled the plan before it could be executed by arresting three Hizb militants, identified as Showkat Ahmed Jan, Nazir Ahmed Bhat and Riyaz Ahmed, all residents of Bandipora district in north Kashmir, the sources said.

During interrogation, the militants revealed that Hizb divisional commander Dawood and battalion commander Abid had masterminded the assassination plot.

Abid, a Pakistan-trained militant, had surrendered before the security forces earlier, but later rejoined the militant ranks, the sources said.

Security forces have launched a massive hunt to nab the ultras.

Security forces had foiled another such plot to assassinate Mr Azad earlier this month. Militants had planned to target Mr Azad during a rally at Ramban in Jammu region, but the three attackers were nabbed before they could execute their plot.

UNI