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Five civilians held hostage in J&K mosque
 SRINAGAR: The stalemate between three Hizbul Mujahideen militants holding five civilians as hostage inside a mosque and security forces in Kulgam district entered the second day on Monday.The militants are holed up inside the mosque at Palnoo village in southern Kulgam district since Sunday afternoon after Army troops launched a search operation in the village following specific information about presence of ultras, a defence spokesman said. Efforts are being made to secure release of the five persons held hostage by the militants inside the mosque, the spokesman said. Two persons including a soldier were injured in the initial firing by militants from inside the mosque on Sunday. However, the troops exercised restrain and did not return the fire keeping in mind the sanctity of the place of worship and safety of the people held hostage by the militants, the spokesman said. A police spokesman said the militants are trying to buy time as they initially demanded that the deputy commissioner be brought at the site for negotiations. However, when the additional deputy commissioner was brought to the site, the militants asked for some government functionaries, the spokesman said. The spokesman said the mosque continued to be cordoned from outside but there was no exchange of fire since Sunday evening. The incident took place when the people were coming out after offering mid-day prayers on Sunday. Police is using public address system to persuade the militants to surrender but so far they have not responded, the spokesman said. Posted by: john frum 2007-12-24 |
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