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Farooq Abdullah survives grenade attack

Militants on Sunday afternoon made an abortive attempt on the life of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, while he was inaugurating a bridge on the river Jhelum at Habbakadal in the interiors of Srinagar city.

Police sources said militants fired two rifle grenades at the venue. However, they missed the target and the grenades exploded nearby without causing any damage. Security guards accompanying the chief minister cut short his speech and made him sit down for security reasons.

They immediately spread a tight cordon around the podium from which the chief minister was addressing the small gathering.

The government spokesman said that policemen fired in retaliation before being asked to cease fire. "There was commotion for a few minutes but soon order was restored," he said.

The grenades exploded just when Dr Abdullah was telling the gathering that he 'can't be cowed down by bullets and bombs and nobody could deter him from his efforts to restore normalcy in the state'.

An official spokesman in Srinagar said Dr abdullah was unruffled by the incident and 'remained cool'.

"Dr Abdullah did not leave the venue even as he was encircled by security personnel. He was seen restoring order and asking people to remain calm," he added.

The explosion and the subsequent firing triggered panic among the people who had gathered in the area.

Sources said local residents deserted the venue of the meet and took shelter in the narrow lanes and by-lanes of Habbakadal. The venue presented a deserted look for some time.

"Those who thought that this action would succeed in making Dr Abdullah run away should know that they would themselves have to flee from Kashmir," the chief minister told the frightened gathering later.

Anticipating trouble, the authorities had made tight security arrangements around the venue, and paramilitary troops had in fact laid a siege around the entire locality. After the incident, the troops fired in retaliation, but no one was wounded.

Later, the paramilitary troops and National Security Guards escorted Dr Farooq away from the venue. So far no arrests have been made, and no one has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Earlier on his arrival Dr Abdullah inaugurated the bridge amidst heavy security.

Early on Sunday morning, paramilitary forces had encircled the entire Habbakadal locality, which was once dominated by Kashmiri Pandits. Passers-by were frisked by the police and security forces.

The road leading to the venue had been sealed.

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