The militants attacked the house of Kashmiri separatist leader and Hurriyat chairperson Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in Srinagar. Mirwaiz is expected to visit New Delhi on January 17. He has the plans to travel Pakistan for a dialogue with President Musharraf.

Militants thrown a grenade to the boundary wall of Mirwaiz’s home. After the grenade blast, the security personnel fired several rounds and the entire locality came to a standstill. The firing lasted for almost ten minutes and there were no firing occurred from militants’ side.

According to the J&K IGP S M Sahai,

It seems that the attack is linked to ongoing political activities. However, on our part, we have taken every step to protect the life of the Mirwaiz.

However, the attack on Mirwaiz house, on the eve of his visit to New Delhi and Islamabad, has revealed the deepen gap among Kashmiri separatist leaders over the Kashmir peace process

At the time of attack, Mirwaiz was in Jammu. He said on the militant attack on his house that he would not be cowed down by such attempts.

A widespread protests lodged by his supporters in Srinagar after the grenade blast. The people were shouting slogans against Syed Ali Shah Geelani, chairperson of the rival hardline Hurriyat faction. Angry people protested in the streets of Rajouri Kadal, Nowhatta, Khaniyar and Lal Chowk area.

Later, Mirwaiz said on the ongoing peace process as

the Hurriyat will go ahead with its program. Our mission is to work for an acceptable settlement of Kashmir. Nobody can take us away from this path.

There are some political forces who are using militancy for own petty ends, trying to establish their political hegemony. Let them know that we will not be cowed down by such attacks.

On the other hand, Geelani also condemned the attack. He said in a statement that

the security agencies were behind the attack. We have only ideological differences between us, not personal. There is no place for violence.

Why don’t you take into consideration that I myself have been attacked fourteen times.

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