Hizb reminder: 8 CRPF men killed in Banihal

In the first major militant strike after Mufti Mohammad Sayeed took over as J-K Chief Minister, militants today blew up a bus, killing eight CRPF men and injuring seven, near Ramsoo 170 km from here on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. A police spokesman said Hizbul Mujahideen claimed responsibility for the Improvised Explosive Device blast.

The CRPF men were going home on vacation. The device, activated by remote control, blew up at about 11.45 am when the bus, which was on its way from Srinagar to Jammu, reached Hingni, one km out of Ramsoo. Immediately after the blast, the militants, hiding nearby, hurled a grenade that exploded without causing much harm. Three jawans were killed on the spot while four others succumbed to injuries in the hospital, the spokesman said.

Six of the deceased have been identified as Sub-Inspector Mohammad Ishaq, Pradeep Singh (driver) of 76 Bn, Head Constable S Ingley of 70 Bn, cop Goutam Kumar of 116 Bn, cop Tuntun Kumar and Head Constable Monvar Mandlay. The identity of two other jawans was not known.

Security forces launched a ‘‘seek and destroy’’ operation in Ramsoo, but they were unable to track down the militants until late tonight.