Militants make unsuccessful bid to blow up mobile tower in Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar: After a month-long lull in attacks on telecommunication facilities, suspected militants on Wednesday made an abortive attempt to blow up a mobile tower owned by a private cellular company in Baramulla district of north Kashmir.

Two hand grenades were tossed by unidentified persons towards a mobile tower on the premises of land belonging to one Ghulam Hassan Bhat at Nihalpora in Pattan area, 30 kms from here, a police officer said.

He said both grenades failed to explode and were subsequently neutralised by experts of the bomb disposal squad. Police assisted by security forces has launched a hunt to nab the attackers, the officer said.

In May and early June, Lashker-e-Islam, a hitherto unknown militant outfit, launched a spate of attacks against telecom employees and those who have rented out space for installation of mobile towers.

The attacks drew strong condemnation from separatists and United Jehad Council, a conglomarate of various PoK-based militant outfits. The attacks left two persons dead and led to the brief suspension of the services in parts of Baramulla and nearby Bandipora districts especially Sopore and adjoining areas.

Police blamed Hizbul Mujahideen's splinter group, led by Qayoom Najar, for orchestrating the attacks on the telecom service providers and also killing of four civilians, including an active member of hardline Hurriyat Conference.