Terrorists strike in Srinagar; policeman gunned down

Terrorists today struck at the heart of Srinagar killing a policeman and injuring seven others after taking hostage number of people in a run-down hotel breaking almost two years of lull of militant violence in the city.

Terrorists on Wednesday struck at the heart of Srinagar killing a policeman and injuring seven others after taking hostage number of people in a run-down hotel breaking almost two years of lull of militant violence in the city.

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Two men, believed to be Lashker-e-Taiba terrorists, apparently planning to target a security establishment, lobbed grenades and opened indiscriminate fire when they were caught in a routine check near Pladdium chowk in Lal Chowk area.

The militants panicked, fired indiscriminately and rushed towards a small eatery identified as "Punjab Hotel" on the adjacent Court Road.

In the firing and lobbying of grenades by the militants, police constable Mohammed Yusuf, who was driver of Station House Officer of Maisuma, was killed while seven others including a camera person of a New Delhi-based private TV news channel were injured, they said.

Intermittent exchange of fire between the militants and security forces was on as two militants were said to be holed up inside the hotel. The police rescued nearly 100 people from the adjoining area.

Though Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen claimed the responsibility for the attack, Police said it was the handiwork of Lashker terrorists only.

Director General of state Police Kuldeep Khoda told PTI that the police had foiled a possible suicide-attack by the Lashker militants.

The last major terror attack in the city took place on October 11, 2007 at Dalgate area.