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Hizb claims responsibility for bid
on Farooq Abdullah's life

"We have been attacking Farooq Abdullah and other pro-India elements in the past and we will continue such attacks as long as they continue to betray the cause of Kashmiris," Hizb spokesman Salim Hashmi said in a statement in Muzafarrabad in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir.

"Abdullah and other vested interests have been strengthening illegal occupation of Kashmir by India, ignoring the sentiments and aspirations of the people of Kashmir," Hashmi said.

"Their attitude was nothing but betrayal with the blood of more than 80,000 martyrs," he said.

"Unless pro-India rulers and politicians in Kashmir give up perfidy towards Kashmiris' cause and rather join the ongoing struggle, they will continue to face such attacks," Hashmi declared.

The Hizb and other guerrilla outfits have rejected a unilateral ceasefire announced by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in late November for the holy month of Ramadan and extended for another four weeks until January 26.

Official sources in Srinagar said the ultras fired the grenades from Babadem area at around 1230 hours (IST) when the chief minister was addressing a gathering after inaugurating a bridge at Habbakadal.

One grenade fell into the Jhelum river while the other struck a rooftop and exploded nearly 100 yards away from the venue of the function. There was no loss of life or injury, the sources said.

Security forces deployed there fired several shots in the air to scare away the militants.

The grenade explosion briefly disrupted the function before it resumed and the chief minister concluded his speech. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee condemned the attempt on the life of Abdullah and indicated that such attacks could affect peace talks in J&K.

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COMPLETE COVERAGE
Government initiated ceasefire in J&K

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