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Sheela Bhatt and Mukhtar Ahmed in Srinagar
Militants on Saturday night forced their way into a police housing colony in Batmaloo area of Srinagar.
At 1945 IST, the militants, said to be more than four, entered the Bemina colony after firing at two guards outside.
They were taken to hospital where one of them, Gul Mohammed, succumbed to his injuries.
Eight, including Sub-divisional Police Officer Hazratbal Shahid Rather, were seriously injured after militants fired upon them for trying to enter the colony.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police (Kashmir range), Farooq Ahmad, also tried to enter the colony.
But as the vehicle of the DIG neared the block, the fidayeens hurled a grenade and sprayed bullets. Ahmad, the police said, received a minor injury on his face, while four of his bodyguards were injured.
The condition of one bodyguard, who received splinter and bullet injuries, is stated to be serious. The DIG and his guards were shifted to a local hospital.
There are more than a thousand people inside and they have turned off the lights so as not to give away their position.
Police sources said the militants forced their way into the colony by firing heavily from AK-47 assault rifles and hurling grenades. "They are now holed up inside a block where nearly 12 families are residing," said a police officer on the condition of anonymity.
Troops have encircled the colony and no movement is being allowed in the area.
This is after a gap of several months that the fidayeens have struck in the capital city. The elections for the Srinagar and Budgam constituencies are scheduled for September 24.
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