Islamic Militants on 19 February burned St Paul International School,a Christian school, resulting in property damages of about Rs. 60 Lacs in Ananthnag Srinagar, Kashmir.

At about 10:30 p.m, some Militants set on fire St. Luke Convent School having classes from Std I-X. Eight rooms including the class rooms, library and computer rooms were completely burned down.

The principal of the school, Grace Paljor told that they are now studying the inventory and the damage done is roughly calculated to be about Rs 60 lacs". She also reported that prior to the incident, she was threatened verbally a number of times by some group of people for being a Christian.
Our sources informed us over the phone that the school was opened 17 years ago, when the army vacated the property of a Kashmiri Pandit. The school has 450 students. Since the school was closed for winter vacations there was no loss of life.

"The school administration used to get threatening calls from the ultras from time to time. They threatened to set the school on fire and they have carried out their threat. After Tindale Bisco was burnt in August last year the ultras have been eyeing the Chritian schools in the Valley. An FIR has been registered with Ram Munshi Bagh police station
When contacted on phone, Inspector General of Kashmir Mr. S M Sahay pleaded complete ignorance. "If a school had been burnt in Kashmir, I would have known about it. The only incident that I know of a school being burnt was way back on August 13 last year
The school is due to open on March 1 after winter vacations and the school administration is working round the clock to ensure that the school opens as per schedule
The fire which started at 10:15 p.m went on till 5:30 a.m. the next day. The Christian filed a police complaint and investigation is underway.