Peace bus passenger complex attacked, soldiers surround building
Reuters Posted online: Wednesday, April 06, 2005 at 1658 hours IST Updated: Wednesday, April 06, 2005 at 1805 hours IST
Srinagar, April 6: Militants attacked and set afire on Wednesday a heavily guarded complex housing people due to take a historic bus across divided Kashmir, but security forces said the passengers were safe.
Injured people were seen leaving the complex, which also houses an airline office and a bank, as orange flames leapt into the air and thick smoke billowed.
The bus was due to take passengers from Indian Kashmir to the Pakistani sector on Thursday, reuniting families from the divided Himalayan region in a major boost to the peace process between India and Pakistan.
"All passengers are out safely," a security official told Reuters. "One militant has been shot dead, and we are still hunting for another."
Immediately after the attack, women were seen jumping from ground floor windows in the complex building amid sporadic gunfire. A Reuters reporter saw one woman and several children bleeding as they were taken away.
Militants opposed to the peace process had threatened to turn the bus into a "coffin", prompting authorities to shift the passengers to the Tourist Reception Centre in the heart of Srinagar.
"I saw some gunmen firing," said tourist centre employee Nazir Ahmed. "A fire broke out soon after, and I fled."
The entire roof of the yellow brick and timber building was on fire, with orange flames leaping several metres into the air and the complex enveloped in smoke. The heat was so intense security forces and the media had to move away from the building.
Hundreds of soldiers, some in full battle gear, surrounded the building after the attack. The building is across the road from state television and radio, and not far from the chief minister's office in central Srinagar.
The bus was scheduled to leave Srinagar Thursday morning and authorities have not announced any change of plans.
Srinagar, April 6: Militants attacked and set afire on Wednesday a heavily guarded complex housing people due to take a historic bus across divided Kashmir, but security forces said the passengers were safe.
