Omar escapes grenade attack

National Conference president Omar Abdullah today escaped unhurt when militants made a bid on his life in the North Kashmir village of Sapar, Nagahama.

National Conference president Omar Abdullah today escaped unhurt when militants made a bid on his life in the North Kashmir village of Sapar, Nagahama. According to officials, two grenades exploded just when Abdullah had finished addressing a rally and retreated into the compound of a house alongwith his party workers.

Four security personnels 8212; three CRPF men and a special police officer of the J038;K Police 8212; and a 10-year-old boy were injured in the attack.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Abdullah said: 8220;Grenades exploded just 15 metres away from the compound where we had settled down in a tent for some refreshment.8221; The explosions alerted the security personnel, who fired some shots in the air and took Abdullah inside the house. The area was cordoned off, and a hunt has been launched to find the militants.

Abdullah said the attack was the handiwork of the 8220;forces within the state8221; who were bent on sabotaging the peace process.

However, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir range, S M Sahai, said the attack was not aimed at Abdullah8217;s rally. He said the explosions occurred some distance away.

The attack, which comes in the wake of a renewed surge in militant violence across the state, is the second attempt on Abdullah8217;s life. In October 2004, Abdullah had a narrow escape when militants set off a powerful IED explosion during the mourning prayers for slain NC leader Safdar Ali Beigh in South Kashmir.

So far, no militant outfit has claimed responsibility for today8217;s incident, which is likely to hamper the intensified political activity in the state. In the last few months, mainstream parties like National Conference, People8217;s Democratic Party and even the Congress have held scores of public meetings in the far corners of the state.

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Incidentally, while addressing the public meeting at Sapar today, Abdullah acknowledged the rising violence and attributed it to the 8220;slowing down8221; of the peace process. 8220;Frustration is creeping back in the state as a result of the peace process failing to deliver anything concrete. India and Pakistan should note this,8221; Abdullah said.

But IG Sahai denied that the situation in the Valley was deteriorating. 8220;One attack cannot be indicative of rising militancy in the state,8221; he said.