By IANS
Srinagar : Three troopers were injured when suicide attackers stormed a huge Central Reserve Police Force (CPRF) camp near the Dal Lake here Thursday evening, officials said.
Police said two heavily armed attackers entered the CRPF battalion headquarters located inside the Boulevard Hotel on the banks of the Dal Lake, the main tourist attraction in this summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.
“The fidayeens hurled grenades and fired heavily from their automatic weapons as they forced their entry into the hotel from the rear side,” a senior police officer said.
“We have surrounded the hotel building housing the headquarters of 144 battalion CRPF and the militants have been engaged in a gunfight. Three CRPF troopers were injured in the initial attack and they were taken to hospital.
“CRPF troopers have taken position inside the camp and are returning the fire. We are getting reports that one militant has been killed and the other is still holed up inside the hotel building,” the officer said.
The heavy firing exchanges caused panic and tension in the area as thousands of shoppers busy in the Eid shopping deserted the city uptown areas and rushed home.
The entire road stretch from Dalgate to Nehru Park was sealed and no movement was being allowed.
Senior police and paramilitary officers were supervising the operation as night fell in the capital city.