SRINAGAR, Jan 31 (2005): Militants stormed a house in Indian Kashmir and threw several grenades at a family inside, killing two sisters, their brother and mother, police said on Monday.
The attack came as the Himalayan region disputed by India and Pakistan holds its first elections in 27 years to choose town councils. Muslim militants fighting against Indian rule have called for a boycott of the polls, which are spread over several days.
The overnight grenade attack took place in a remote village in Doda district, southeast of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir.
“A group of militants stormed the house of Abdul Aziz around midnight and lobbed grenades. Four family members died on the spot in the explosions,” a police officer said.
Aziz and another daughter were wounded, the officer said, adding that it was not yet known why the family was targeted. Kashmiri guerrillas have in the past attacked police informers or villagers who have refused to shelter them.
Although rebel violence continues in Kashmir, Indian authorities say the levels are lower than in 2003, coinciding with moves by New Delhi and Islamabad to make peace.
India accuses Pakistan of stoking the revolt in Kashmir, the cause of two of three wars between the arch rivals.
Leaders of the two countries are due to hold talks on the sidelines of a regional summit in Bangladesh next week.
