11 security personnel killed in Pulwama

11 security personnel killed in Pulwama

Sunday, December 5, 2004 (Srinagar):

Eleven security personnel and a civilian were killed when militants blew up their vehicle in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir.

The hired civilian vehicle in which the security personnel were travelling was blown up late Saturday night at Naina-Batapora when an IED planted by militants in an underground pipe exploded, DIG South Kashmir Ravinder Kotwal said today.

The deceased included the company commander Major Lalit, nine jawans, Special Police Officer Imitiaz Ahamed and the civilian driver.

The security personnel, after taking part in an operation in Khanabal area of Anantnag district, had taken a non-traditional route to Zainapura.

A search party was sent to locate them after they did not turn up at their destination.

Hizb claims responsibility

Pro-Pakistan militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen has, meanwhile, claimed responsibility for the blast.

A caller identifying himself as a spokesman of the outfit told news organisations in Srinagar that activists of the outfit detonated the IED inflicting casualties on the Army Saturday night.

Ten army personnel, including a Major, a Special Police Officer and a driver of the vehicle hired by the army were killed in the blast.

He claimed that the militants escaped after taking six AK assault rifles, one light machine gun and three wireless sets from the slain army personnel.

news from ndtv.com

(With PTI inputs)