SRINAGAR, Feb 2 (2004): Suspected Muslim rebels shot and killed a senior police official in Indian Kashmir’s main city on Monday as he left a mosque after prayers on one of Islam’s holiest days.
“Suspected militants fired three bullets from close range at Mohammed Amin Bhat while he was exchanging Eid greetings outside the Barzulla Mosque,” a police officer said in Srinagar city.
Bhat, a deputy inspector general of police, was declared dead on being taken to a hospital in Srinagar. His bodyguard was wounded, the police officer said.
Muslims in India were celebrating Eid al-Adha, one of Islam’s most important festivals, on Monday.
No rebel group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which took place a day after authorities in Kashmir freed 34 prisoners and announced new incentives to persuade militants to give up the gun.
Four people, including a woman and a soldier, were killed later on Monday in a gunbattle between security forces and militants in Poonch district, south of Srinagar, police said.
On Sunday, 16 people were wounded when suspected militants threw a grenade into a crowd at a marketplace in Pulwama district, south of Srinagar, police said.
There has been no let up in rebel violence in the Himalayan region despite a recent thaw in relations between India and Pakistan who have fought two of their three wars over the region since independence from Britain in 1947.
India accuses Pakistan of fomenting militant violence in Kashmir, where more than 40,000 people have been killed since 1989. Pakistan denies the charges.
Militant groups have opposed the peace moves between India and Pakistan and vowed to continue attacks in Kashmir.
