J-K violence back as poll dates out

In an encounter with militants at Mallapora village near Charar-e-Sharief, CO of 171 battalion of BSF V.K. Purohit along with a head constable and a constable were killed. Two militants had also been killed in the fire fight.

While the encounter was going on, militants attacked the Congress party’s headquarters on MA road in the city centre.

However, nobody was injured in the grenade attack. The militants also attacked and injured five policemen when they hurled a grenade towards the cavalcade of SP, South City, Mukesh Singh at Jehangir Chowk nearby. There was an encounter between security forces and the militants in Baramulla town as well where two militants were killed early this morning.

Troops also killed two militants making infiltration bids in Gurez sector today. IGP, Kashmir Range, K. Rajendra said the sudden spurt in violence was ‘‘aimed at derailing the poll process’’. He said they are getting troop reinforcements for the elections.