Srinagar, Sep 3 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Congress has demanded a probe into the militant attack on its president Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed in north Kashmir yesterday.

PCC vice-president Bashir Ahmad Magray and six other senior leaders of the party, in a joint statement issued here today, condemned the attack on Peerzada Sayeed, who is also Haj and Auqaf minister, by ''unidentified militants'' at Puthkha, Pattan, in north Kashmir district of Baramulla.

The Congress leaders terming the attack an ''act of cowardice'', said ''such acts will not stop the Congress party to work for unity, integrity, peace and development of the state.'' However, Deputy Inspector General of Police (North Kashmir) B Srinivasa explained that officials in the road opening party in Mr Sayeed's convoy and some Army personnel who were passing by mistook a tyre burst as a militant attack and fired in the air.

Rejecting speculation that it was a fidayeen attack, Mr Srinivasa said no one was injured in the firing.

Panic gripped the Pattan area following the incident.

The Minister was scheduled to attend a school function in the area, he said, adding that after attending the function Mr Sayeed left for Srinagar.

UNI