Attack on cell phone offices, tower in Srinagar

Unidentified assailants on Friday attacked two mobile phone sales and service centres here and lobbed grenades to force their closure, police said. Besides, a BSNL tower was also attacked.

The attackers hurled a grenade at the public sector Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) tower in Shaheedgunj locality, adjacent to the civil secretariat, on Friday afternoon. One person has been injured.

"Two unidentified assailants entered an Aircel office in Karan Nagar business centre and asked the staff to close their business and leave the office," a senior police officer told IANS in Srinagar.

"They hurled a grenade inside that damaged furniture and fixture inside," police said.

Shahnawaz Ahmed, an auto-rickshaw driver, was injured in the attack on Aircel office.

After that, the assailants entered a Vodafone office and asked the the staff to vacate.

They lobbed another grenade inside the office and escaped, police said, adding that searches have been launched to nab the attackers.

Unidentified gunmen have been threatening mobile phone service providers in north Kashmir.

Friday's attack is the first such incident in Srinagar. - IANS