Ultras strike again in Valley after a lull

Security forces recovered over 100 kgs of explosives in various search operations since last evening, an official said here today.

He said Pakistani troops fired two rockets from across the border at Deragali-Saidpora in Garkote area of Uri sector in Baramulla district last night, adding that both the rockets, however, missed the intended targets and exploded in an open field, without causing any harm.

He said the rocket attack was followed by unprovoked and indiscriminate firing by Pakistani troops at Charunda village in the same district, leaving three persons, wounded. He said the Indian forces fired back and the exchange of fire continued for several hours.

The spokesman said unidentified militants gunned down Ghulam Rasool Bhat, an NC activist, at Sumkochibal-Khanyar in downtown Srinagar last night.

Meanwhile, Border Security Force (BSF) personnel gloated at their success in ensuring that violence did not mar Independence Day.

They searched the venue of the main celebration on rumours that a solar rocket (which gets launched automatically with a small ray of light) was planted somewhere near the stadium.

“It took many sleepless nights of thousands of men and officers to see this fete achieved,” a BSF spokesman told The Indian Express. He said Pakistani agencies had offered Rs one lakh for carrying out a “newsy action” on the day. Special units infiltrated the Valley and ammunition and arms were pumped into Kashmir for making the event violent, he said.