Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Apr 15:Protesters today pelted stones on the vehicles carrying National Conference (NC) workers in South Kashmir’s Shopian district damaging at least 10 vehicles while suspected militants attacked residences of two ruling NC workers in old city Srinagar city by hurling petrol bombs.
Scores of youth pelted stones on vehicles carrying NC workers at Mamindar, Bona Bazar, Bus Stand and Batpora area of Shopian. These workers were on way to Ramnagari Reshnagari public rally of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Shopian. At least 10 vehicles were damaged in the stone pelting. Police charged batons and fired tear smoke shells to chase the protesters.
A University vehicle carrying Dean Colleges Kashmir University was damaged in stone pelting at Bunbazar, Shopian and driver of the vehicle Mohammad Ashraf was critically injured. However, Professor Mustafa Shah and Professor Arif escaped unhurt.
The locals, however, drove the vehicle to District Hospital after the Professors cried for help. Condition of the driver is stated to be critical.
In another incident of stone pelting, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate for the Anantnag Constituency, Tanvir Maqbool Dar had narrow escape at Malangpora, Pulwama today. Dar’s car was damaged in the stone pelting, however, he escaped unhurt.
Reports said that two suspected militants on a mortar cycle targeted two houses of NC workers in Jamalata area of old city in Srinagar last night while a scooter of a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) worker was set ablaze in the same area. However, no one was hurt in the incidents.
Reports said that suspected militants hurled petrol bombs at the residences of Mohammad Shafi Lone and Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, both NC workers, in Jamalata locality of the old city.
Although no one was injured in the bomb attacks, the glass panes of both the houses were shattered due to the blasts.
A police official said that preliminary investigations revealed that at least three petrol bombs were hurled by the militants.
In another incident, the suspected militants also torched scooter of a PDP worker Manzoor Ahmad in Jamalata area.
Militants have stepped up attacks on political workers in Kashmir recently as the Valley prepares to go to Lok Sabha polls from April 24.
Militants also attacked the residence of youth NC leader, Yawar Masoodi, at Khrew in Pulwama on Sunday, killing two cops, before they were eliminated by the security forces.
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