AL leader escapes bid on life, CRPF camp attacked in Kashmir

Srinagar, Dec 26 (UNI) A senior leader of the Awami League (AL) and his family members escaped unhurt in a militant attack while a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan was injured when ultras attacked a camp in the valley overnight.

Official sources said militants attacked the house of AL leader Mohammad Ramzan Itoo at Mugi Marge, Zainpora, in the Pulwama district of south Kashmir late last night with automatic weapons.

However, police guards posted there retaliated and the exchange of fire continued for some time. But the militants managed to escape under the cover of darkness. Mr Itoo and his family members escaped unhurt in the attack.

Later, one of the militants was identified as Rameez Ahmad Ganie alias Setha of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM). A massive hunt had been launched to nab the militants responsible for the attack, the sources added.

Militants attacked a CRPF camp at Batagund, Tral, about 30 km from here in south Kashmir. The CRPF personnel retaliated and in the ensuing gun battle one jawan was injured. He was hospitalised, the sources said, adding the militants managed to escape.

Police arrested a wanted militant, Irshad Ahmad Magray, at Wanidorsa, Lolab in the frontier district of Kupwara, last night.

Magray, involved in a number of militant activities, had crossed over to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in 1999 and returned a few months ago after receiving arms training.

UNI