One person was killed and 13 were injured in a low-intensity improvised explosive device (IED) blast at a busy market in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. A sarpanch was shot dead by militants on the outskirts of Srinagar.
“The explosion was heard around 12:15 p.m. One person died and 13 were injured in the blast. Initial investigation suggested that it was an IED,” Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Jammu, Mukesh Singh, told The Hindu.
The impact of the blast was “localised”. “Forensic and ballistic experts would file their report on the blast. More information could be shared once reports come in,” Mr. Singh stated.
The explosion took place at Salathia Chowk and it was crowded at the time of the blast. The deceased was identified as Jugal Kumar
Chief Medical Officer, Udhampur, Dr. K. Dogra, said the injured were admitted to hospital. Officials noted that the condition of some of the injured was “critical”.
LG’s directive
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Singh directed the district administration “to render all assistance to kin of victim and those injured”. “I strongly condemn this heinous terrorist attack. Our security forces will hunt down those responsible,” he observed.
In the Kashmir Valley, the police said a sarpanch was shot dead by terrorists around 6:50 p.m. on the outskirts of Srinagar’s Khonmoh area.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that terrorists barged into the house of sarpanch Sameer Ahmad Bhat, son of Abdul Rasheed Bhat, and opened fire at him. He sustained critical injuries and was immediately shifted to a nearby hospital, where he died of his injuries,” a police spokesman said.
The police said a case under relevant sections of law had been registered. “Investigation is on and officers continue to work to establish the circumstances that led to this terror crime,” the police stated.
Officials said Bhat was associated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Parties condemn attacks
Regional parties have condemned the attacks in Udhampur and Srinagar. Former Chief Minister and National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah said he “unreservedly condemn the Udhampur attack”.
Peoples Conference leader Imran Reza Ansari said, “Terror should be condemned in one voice. Today’s blast in Udhampur led to the loss of a precious life and injured many others. Government needs to curb such attacks by a heavy crackdown on culprits to prevent further loss of civilian lives.”
The J&K Apni Party also condemned the attacks.
