Militant group owns up for Valley attack

A day after Jammu and Kashmir minister Ali Mohammad Sagar escaped a bid on his life,Jamiat ul Mujahideen,a pro-Pakistan militant group,has claimed responsibility of the attack.

The outfits spokesperson,Jameel ur Rehman,told a local news agency in Srinagar the attack was carried out by the Al Jabbar squad of the group. The attack on the NC minister was carried out as a reaction to the statement of NC president Farooq Abdullah,in which he had advocated reopening of cinema halls and liquor shops in the state. He threatened similar attacks in future on mainstream politicians. Our aim was to kill the minister.

Security in Srinagar was beefed up Monday. The police put up special checkpoints across the city and checked vehicles and frisked people. A special team has been constituted to find those responsible for the attack. The police are also trying to verify the claims of the Jamiat ul Mujahideen spokesperson. We are working on various leads and will be able to crack this case, said a police officer.

Sagars convoy came under fire at Shah Mohalla,where he had gone to attend an engagement. Personal Security Officer Gulzar Ahmed died in the attack and two others were injured.