Detained Salahuddin Aide Killed in Grenade Attack

SRINAGAR: An under-trial Hizbul Mujahedin militant was killed on Wednesday when a grenade was hurled at the vehicle that was ferrying him to Baramulla sub-jail from Srinagar. Four policemen and three civilians also received splinter injuries in the explosion.
DIG Central Kashmir, Afhadul Mujtaba, said a grenade was lobbed at JKPs Tata-407, No. JKO1C-8872, at Batmalloo. The vehicle was carrying Hizbul Mujahedin militant Shakeel Ahmad Kasana son of Abdul Rahim Kasana of Kral Khayan Kangan to Baramulla sub-jail from Srinagar, he said, Eight persons including Kasana were injured in the blast. The injured were shifted to various hospitals and Kasana succumbed to his wounds while he was being taken to SKIMS.
Dr Aijaz Mustafa, Medical Superintendent of SKIMS, said Kasana was brought to hospital at 12:15 p.m. and he had suffered grave lung and head injuries in the blast. He passed away at 2:15 pm, said Dr. Mustafa. .
Police sources said Kasana had returned from Pakistan in 2003 and after remaining active for nine years, he was arrested in December 2012 by Panthachowk police. An FIR, 113/2012, under section 7/25 Arms Act was registered against him. Kasan was booked under PSA.
IG Police, Kashmir Division, Abdul Gani Mir, said Kasana was the bodyguard of Hizb Chief, Syed Salahuddin, before crossing over to this side of Kashmir.
The IGP denied that it was an attempt to free Kasana from police custody. How could militants do this when the under-trial was in the custody of police? I dont think that is the case, he said.
Eyewitness said panic gripped the crowded Batamaloo when the grenade exploded with a bang. People started running for their lives, said an eyewitness.
Immediately after the explosion, police and paramilitary forces cordoned off the area.
Meanwhile, Hizbul Mujahideen, in a strongly worded statement, has said that the attack was a drama staged by police to liquidate Kasana.
A hitherto unknown outfit, Jammu and Kashmir Freedom Force, has claimed the responsibility of the attack.
A caller, identifying himself as the spokesman of the group, said, Cadres of our outfit carried out the attack. It is unfortunate that two of our Kashmiri brethren sustained injuries in the attack. He said such attacks would keep coming.

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