Aftermath of attack on pilgrims
(6 Aug 2002)
Nunwan Camp, near Pahalgam, Jammu-Kashmir state
1. Wide shot pilgrim camp with pools of blood on ground
2. Indian soldier examining blood stains at camp
3. Wide shot security and pilgrims at camp
4. Indian soldier in tent lifting up sleeping bag to show pool of blood underneath
5. Check point
6. Soldiers directing pilgrims
7. SOUNDBITE: (Hindi): Indian soldier (name not given):
"Around 5.30 this morning, the firing began. First came a grenade attack, followed by two to three bursts of light machine guns. Then the people starting running here and there."
6. Various of pilgrims at camp
STORYLINE:
Suspected Islamic militants attacked Hindu pilgrims in Kashmir with grenades and automatic rifles on Tuesday, killing eight people and wounding 27.
A half dozen suspected militants sneaked into the pilgrimage transit camp in Nunwan, about 90 kilometers (55 miles) southeast of Srinagar, the summer capital of India's northern Jammu-Kashmir state.
They lobbed a grenade and began firing automatic rifles at pilgrims who were preparing for the 53-kilometre (33-mile) hike uphill to the Amarnath shrine.
The Himalayan cave houses an icy stalagmite worshipped as an incarnation of the Hindu god Shiva.
More than two thousand pilgrims were inside the tented camp at the time of attack, witnesses told The Associated Press.
Indian officials said the police retaliated, killing one of the rebels.
The army surrounded the area and were combing the hills for the other suspects.
At least 125,000 Hindu pilgrims are making the month long annual pilgrimage.
It was the sixth attack on the pilgrims this year, leading to 24 deaths. The last attack, on July 30, killed three and injured 22 pilgrims.
No specific threats were made this year by the separatist groups.
However, police say the threat of violence was greater because India is holding state elections in Kashmir next month. Kashmiri separatists have called for a boycott of the vote.
No militant outfit claimed responsibility for the attack.
The violence could exacerbate the already serious tensions between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan, who have been on a war footing for eight months due to similar attacks.
New Delhi accuses Islamabad of backing the Islamic guerrillas fighting for Kashmir's independence or merger with Pakistan.
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