Lashkar-e-Taiba claims Indian Kashmir hotel attack: Report
The banned outfit said four of its attackers "lobbed grenades and opened fire" at an Indian army convoy as it passed through the highway where the Silver Star hotel is located, the Urdu language Kashmir Uzma newspaper said.
"Four of our fidayeen (suicide attackers) attacked the army convoy in which one of the army vehicles was badly damaged," the daily quoted LeT spokesman Abdullah Gaznavi as saying over the telephone.
The attackers "reached their hideouts safely," Gaznavi added.
Heavily-armed gunmen stormed the Silver Star hotel on Friday after an abortive attempt to attack the army convoy, killing a bellboy and injuring two others, the Indian police said.
Gaznavi, however, blamed "retaliatory firing" by the Indian armed forces for the death of the hotel staff member.
The attack, the first in Srinagar since May, occurred on a day when several senior officials from the army, police, intelligence agencies and government met to review the security situation in the state.
In the May attack, two motorcyclists fired on a group of army officers, injuring seven.
The LeT has been blamed by India for the November 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people. It has denied any role in the attacks.
COMMENTS (46)
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@wonderer: Thanks for posting you tube clipping which gives an insight of so called Azad Kashmir(AK) and unbiased comments from a Kashmiri resident living there who refuses to identify himself as Pakistani and draws parallel of Kashmir with Balochistan since the latter refused accession with Pakistan and advocates that plebisite should necessarily be held in this province. Musharraf during his ten years rule sent a high profile delegation to AK to access Kashmiris loyalty to Pakistan who reported back that majority do not want to join Pakistan which made him suggest a compromise formula to India to grant greater autonomy to both parts of the state with open borders but the rest is history however he was very very close in finding a solution to this six decades old problem but both countries missed this golden opportunity.
One gets a distinct impression created by the comments on this blog that our Pakistani friends would like to see Kashmir being handed over to Pakistan. Let us for the sake of argument agree that India should do that immediately. Two important questions arise as a natural consequence.
1) What will be the legal position of Kashmir, and also Kashmiris who are not Muslim?
To learn the present position of Azad Kashmir go to this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ekDWIY53Uto
2) What will Pakistan do with Kashmir? OR How will Kashmir be changed by Pakistan?
If you consider these questions objectively and honestly, keeping aside the distorted history of J&K problem propagated by Pakistan, I am sure anyone will realize that it is in the interest of all concerned that the present position is changed only to let the so-called Azad Kashmir join its parent. It is not a question of territory; it is of people and culture (Kashmiriat).
It is also in the interest of Pakistan to get over this obsession.
Zarra Sochiye!
@Abreez If it makes you happy, not just north india but the whole india is being ruled by nehru dynasity who have roots in kashmir.
@Amitabh Bachchan:This land of Kashmir is the Enemy of India and Pakistan and both countries are foolishly fighting over it, and one day Kashmir will not be in the control of any one. I agree with you and if this is so and shall happen one day in the future then why Indian government doesn't free Kashmir before the coming of this time and why wasting money on this useless occupation and war in Kashmir????
@Abreez: "you know a lot about ‘Mullahs’ but nothing about ‘Islam’." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Your comments are irrelevant, Nitish never claimed any knowledge of Islam or its authorized sales representatives the Mullahs. No point in attacking the wind mills!
@Blithe: " ... Indian occupation must end ... "
Your preoccupation with/of Kashmir must end.
@Abreez:
The state of pakistan and the religious fundamentalists in it a illegal.
@BruteForce: I don't think India will ever hold water flow to Pakistan as no such hard measures were contemplated even during 65, 71 and Kargil wars. India is a responsible country who believes in fulfilling its international obligations and would continue to do so in future as well. India has taken adequate security measures to thwart hostilities from across the border and the same has served us well except for a few incidences which will continue to happen with kind courtesy of our neighbour who refuses to reciprocate confidence building measures taken by us. Unfortunately, Pakistan has not learnt any lessons of courting these militants who have killed 40000 Pakistanis so far and still counting. Hence, India need not do anything against Pakistan who has become a victim of its own policy of exporting terrorism and shall continue to suffer even more if it does not wind up or eliminate its terror machinery soon.
The Kashmiris must accept that UN and the West is not going to allow India to give them independence nor any kind of self rule. That is because muslims tend to mix politics with religion and look where all the muslim countries are today. A complete mess. They are now destroying the Islamic world and so far they have done a very good job. Soon they will be ruling them just like the old days when there was law and order.
This land of Kashmir is the Enemy of India and Pakistan and both countries are foolishly fighting over it, and one day Kashmir will not be in the xontrol of anyone.
@Abreez
Hats off to you Sir, for the depth of your knowledge of real-politics and history. The level of your wisdom astounds me really, as I curse myself for waste of 76 years that you could accuse me of. I hope you have seen the video I recommended. I trust Allah will grant you whatever you "demand", but why restrict yourself to Northern India only? You could easily include East Pakistan as well. Your ambitions should have no bounds considering the strength and bravery of your Army, the nuclear arsenal, the wisdom and courage of the non-state-actors and the deep friendship with the future Superior Super Power China.
Why not let your imagination run wild? Just imagine Pakistan of 2206. You will probably never get another chance to speak from the position of strength that the state of your nation provides at present.
May Allah guide you and save Pakistan. Amen.
@BruteForce: I agree. Seriousness of the matter will be realised when shoe will relly start pinching.
Indian army should kill these let terrorist.anyway no stone petter condemned this attack..shame
Strategic assets at work again. They are bad only when they target Pakistan.otherwise they are great ghazis
RAW's propaganda cell at work. What LeT could possible have gained by killing a Kashmiri Muslim lad?
TTP, LeT, LeJ, JuD they have all cross-pollinated. Is it a technique by the them to take attention and condemnation away from Malala shooting and perhaps NW operation? Hopefully our government/khakis and also the indian government can see through these intentions of the militants who are good for NONE of the countries and dont do anything that will divert out jawans from the NW push.
@Nitish Your comments show your understanding about Islam which is a good thing for us, of course you know a lot about ‘Mullahs’ but nothing about ‘Islam’.
@wonderer Kashmir issue taught us that this world is all about power and, “your enemy respects only the best of your arms and bravest of your soldiers”. We can wait as Jews did but I fear that future political leadership demand whole of Northern India, Pakistan of 1206.
@BruteForce:
You are absolutely right Sir, but I do not think India will accept your advice. There is no need for India to do anything illegal or immoral. India believes in the wisdom and power of Allah, who has already started teaching necessary lessons to Pakistan and the likes of LeT. It is only a matter of time when the Muslims of Pakistan realize that Allah really exists.
@Cynical:72 virgins and free whiskey as well.
This bellboy will died for a great cause, freeing Kashmir from the infidels. He surely has booked his berth in heaven.
time to debate on the good taliban,bad taliban.......TODAYS good taliban may become the bad taliban tommarow.
A record number of tourists visited Kashmir this year. Due to booming economy militancy has almost died its natural death as militants are no longer getting any support from the locals for the past two years. People of Kashmir have understood the futility of so called freedom struggle which brought suffering and misery but no freedom which militants promised them for the past two decades. Moreover, pathetic conditions in Pakistan further broke whatever resolve left to continue the struggle. LeT will not be able to revive militancy in Kashmir again, however hard they may try.
What is the difference in the actual murder of the Bell Boy Mr Farooq Ahmed Bhtt & the attempted murder of Ms Malala Yousefzai? +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Resolute and firm response is required from the Indians.
@Abreez:
I am sure you, and all intelligent Pakistani citizens like yourself, would love to learn all about the legality of Azad Kashmir from Mr. Hamid Bashani, a person belonging to that area. And also about the "illegality" of the part with India. Listen to this video very carefully:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ekDWIY53Uto
I am for strict action by India. After every such attack, India should withhold some water. This will solve everything.
Shias of Kashmir don't back Indian forces because of your insecurity of fundamentalist sunni groups.
So, these savages are trying to redeem themselves from the Malala fallout by attacking an Indian target. That should be an ideal template for every jihadi terrorists. Kill 2 dozen Pakistani citizen and whip up some nationalism by attempting to attack an Indian target. For the shooting of every Malala, the crisis management plan would be a target in Kashmir, including Kashmiri people.
Abreez : For all the "problems", is illegal killing the answer. You got this answer all over your country, Time you guys take the problems head on,
The attack does not have links in Pakistan. who knows the caller was in real an LeT member. it is certainly a plot to derail the ongoing Pak-India peace efforts.
Illegal occupation, illegal governance, illegal people’s representatives, unjust world and now the results of these illegalities, illegal freedom movement by illegal freedom fighters.
Indian Forces must reward the Let & its backers only in the currency that they understand. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Appeasement didnt work against the Nazis as well.
Result of years of oppression
Pakistan cannot afford for Kashmir to reap the benefits of peace, and Kashmiris don't have the sense to come out onto the streets to condemn these kinds of terrorist attacks.
The LeT virus has to be wiped out. Are you listening Uncle Sam? Bounties are nowhere near effective since the outfit thrives on intimidation. Nobody would be brave enough to come forward.
Bellboy's name was "Farooq Ahmed Bhat" Congratulations, LET.
good for nothing Indian govt will again beg for peace with pakistan
Killing bellboy is nothing but a collateral damage. No mass rally, similar to that against collateral damage caused by drones, is planned by the head of LeT..
LeT what did you try to show by such attacks? Trying to derail peace process between India- pakistan ? Knowing that kashmir cause weakened due to mishandling by pak govt + army,then it's useless to attack on hotels and indian security personels. Do you think you will get kashmir freed by using such tactits? though your creators are relucting now to back you openly.
this report describes Muslims killing a Muslim bellboy, doing a honest days of work to feed his family, a perfectly legitimate charity work of LeT? Only fools believe that changing the name of a banned organization will changes the character of people running the organization.
Is anyone there who could stop them .... Probably none
Indian occupation must end
here we go my teacher told me abt any such incident