Islamic militants staged one of their boldest attacks in months in Indian Kashmir on Thursday by attempting to storm a heavily-guarded police camp and provoking a fierce gun battle, police said. The crackle of gunfire could be heard from the banks of the scenic Dal Lake near Srinagar, the urban hub of the anti-India revolt in the disputed region, as security forces battled what rebels claimed was a three-member unit of Islamist fighters. "Militants hurled grenades and opened fire at one of our battalion headquarters in a bid to storm it this (Thursday) evening," P. Tripathi, a spokesman for Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) told reporters.He said one militant had been killed and three members of the CRPF were injured, as fighting raged into the night around the camp -- which is situated the grounds of a hotel next to the Himalayan lake. A spokesman for the hardline rebel group Lashkar-e-Taiba told local news agencies that three of its men were involved. Local residents also reported fierce fighting, saying many in the area had fled their houses and houseboats.
The violence comes as the disputed Muslim-majority region prepares for Eid-al Fitr, the biggest Muslim festival marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. Eid will be celebrated in the divided region on October 13 or 14, depending on when the new moon is sighted.
On Monday the Pakistan-based United Jihad Council, an alliance of rebel groups fighting Indian rule in Kashmir, declared a three-day truce from October 12 for the upcoming festival. Lashkar-e-Taiba is not a part of the Council. The Indian government has not responded to the truce so far, with Indian troops on high alert and continuing with counter-insurgency operations against militants they say continue to cross from Pakistan.
The attack on the police camp took place only a few kilometres from the state-owned lakeside convention complex, where Kashmir's Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad was hosting "iftar", or fast-breaking party. The party continued despite the attack, an official said.
| As why should it not, since it was a few kilometers away? |