Friday, July 29 2005 21:51 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: A BSF jawan was killed today (July 29, 2005) and 19 others, including seven mediapersons and as many security personnel, were injured when militants struck the busy business area of Budshah Chawk in the heart of the city setting off a fierce gunbattle with security forces.

The militants hurled a grenade and opened fire at a BSF armoured vehicle at the bus stand in the close vicinity of Akhara building targetting security personnel at around 1700 hrs (IST), official sources said adding the security forces hit back triggering the exchange of fire.

One of the bullets fired by militants hit the petrol tanker of a police jeep setting it on fire. They said the militants also hurled two grenades at the security forces during the encounter.

Seven mediapersons-five cameramen of ANI, Doordarshan, Zee News, India TV and Sahara TV and two press photographers were injured in the incident, the sources said.

Four CRPF men, two BSF personnel and a police constable and five civilians were also injured in the exchange of fire with militants, the sources said adding the injured civilians included a woman and son of a Congress worker.

The sources said at least two militants were suspected to be holed up in two buildings adjacent to the Akhara building which houses the holy mace of Lord Shiva besides a large number of BSF troopers.

Both the buildings were surrounded by security forces to prevent the militants from escaping, the sources said adding intermittent firing between the two sides continued as the troops were making efforts to neutralize the ultras.