Uri (Kashmir): In a major pre-poll strike, two Jammu and Kashmir Ministers were today (Apr 8, 2004) injured while Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti had a narrow escape when militants exploded a powerful grenade near the venue of an election rally, which left nine people dead and 53 injured in this town, just 17 kms from the line of control (LoC).

State Finance Minister Muzaffar Hussain Beigh and Tourism Minister Ghulam Hassan Mir were injured in the leg in the blast, which took place at 14.40 hrs (IST) when they were heading along with party activists to a school where the PDP rally, also organised to press for opening of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road, was scheduled.

Elections 2004-The Drama unfolds...

The massive blast, barely 30 yards from the venue was followed by several rounds of firing, which resulted in on-the-spot death of three civilians and a policeman and injuries to 58 others, including a STAR television cameraman.

While Beigh was hospitalised for splinter injuries, Mir was discharged after first aid, sources said.

Five others succumbed to injuries in Baramulla and Srinagar hospitals where condition of about 20 others was stated to be critical, they said.

The dead include a security guard of Mir.

Mehbooba, however, escaped unhurt as her personal security guards moved swiftly to remove her to a safer place.

Save Kashmir Movement, a shadow group of Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) has claimed responsibility for the blast.