Srinagar:
A total of 12 civilians sustained injuries in a grenade attack near the heavily-guarded Tourist Reception Centre, an area close to Lal Chowk in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar on Sunday, J-K police said.
According to Srinagar Police, terrorists lobbed a hand grenade at a security force deployment near crowded Sunday Market of Srinagar on Sunday at around 2pm.
The grenade exploded within the crowd, injuring 12 civilians, one among them a lady who sustained serious injuries.
The injured have been identified as Misba aged about 17 years, Azaan Kaloo aged about 17 years, Habibullah Rather aged about 50 years, Altaf Ahmad Seer aged about 21 years, Faizal Ahmad aged about 16 years, Uer Farooq, Faizan Mushtaq aged about 20 years, Zahid aged about 19 years, Gulam Muhammad sofi aged about 55 years, and, Sumaiya Jan aged about 45 years.
Out of these, four people were discharged after giving first aid. Srinagar Deputy Commissioner Dr Bilal Mohidin said that two injured would have to undergo a surgery due to severe injuries. “We came here (hospital) to meet the injured. They are undergoing treatment, 2 patients will have to undergo surgery. Special care will be given and the remaining injured will be released after treatment…” he said.
Case FIR No. 66/2024 under sections of 16 UAP Act, 109, 115(2) BNS and 3/4 of Explosives Substances Act has been registered in Police Station Kothibagh and investigation has been initiated, the police said.
Today’s attack came a day after the top Pakistani commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was gunned down by security forces in the Khanyar area of downtown Srinagar.
Special Operation Group of J&K Police has been deployed to investigate the attack. A search operation has also been launched by the security forces to track down the attackers.
The explosion triggered panic in the area as the shoppers were seen scrambling for cover.
A local resident said, “Nothing like this ever happened here. I don’t know what’s going on here for a few days now… Even during the peak of militancy, nothing like this ever happened.”
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir visited the injured civilians and assured them that strict action would be taken against the perpetrators of this crime.
Omar Reacts, LG Takes Stock
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described today’s attack as “deeply disturbing” and said that those responsible for people’s security “must do everything possible to end this spurt of attacks”.
“The last few days have been dominated by headlines of attacks & encounters in parts of the valley. Today’s news of a grenade attack on innocent shoppers at the ‘Sunday market’ in Srinagar is deeply disturbing. There can be no justification for targeting innocent civilians. The security apparatus must do everything possible to end this spurt of attacks at the earliest so that people can go about their lives without any fear,” Abdullah posted on X.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary condemned the attack and urged the J-K police to do everything possible to end the spurt of attacks at the earliest in the region.
“Today’s news of a grenade attack on innocent shoppers at the ‘Sunday market’ in Srinagar is deeply disturbing. There can be no justification for targeting innocent civilians. @JmuKmrPolice must do everything possible to end this spurt of attacks at the earliest so that people can go about their lives without any fear,” he said in a post on X.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also spoke to DGP Nalin Prabhat and senior officials of the security agencies on grenade attack in Srinagar. He directed the security officials for an effective and forceful response to punish the terrorists and their associates. The LG reaffirmed the government’s resolve not to allow terrorist elements to succeed in their nefarious designs.
“Terrorists targeting our citizens will have to pay a very heavy price for their actions. You have full freedom to crush terror outfits and leave no stone unturned to complete this mission,” the Lieutenant Governor told the senior security officials.
Former Chief Minister and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti also condemned the attack. She said, “Condemn the heinous grenade attack in #Srinagar today. Such acts of #violence are deplorable and only serve to perpetuate a cycle of fear and hatred. Praying for the swift recovery of the injured,” on X.
Congress leader Ravinder Sharma said that there is a conspiracy to destabilise the elected government. “This is a conspiracy to disturb the atmosphere here. Such incidents have increased ever since elections have been held and the new government has been formed… Sunday market is mostly crowded. I will pray for the well-being of those injured in the attack… This proves that militancy is still there in the valley… Central government has the entire law and order and security apparatus in its hand. We call for strict action…” he told news agency.
