J&K: Second Civilian Dies in Grenade Attack at Busy Srinagar Market

Srinagar: Two persons were killed while 23 others were injured in a grenade blast as suspected militants attacked a busy market in the Amira Kadal area of Srinagar Sunday.

70-years-old Abdul Salaam Makhdoomi, a resident of the Nowhatta area of Old Srinagar city, was killed immediately when unknown assailants tossed the grenade in the busy central market at about 4:20 pm.

The injured, which included a policeman, were rushed to Srinagar's Sri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital. Early Monday, another injured, identified as 19-year-old Rafiya, succumbed to her injuries, according to an official at the hospital.

The slain daughter of Nazir Ahmad Tinda, a Hazratbal locality of Srinagar residents, succumbed early morning. She had received severe brain injuries in the blast, a senior doctor at SMHS said.

An official statement claimed that others injured in the blast, including the policeman posted near the attack site, have received splinter injuries but are out of danger.

In view of the attack, which has caused uncertainty amongst the security establishment and the civilian population who commute daily from the busy market area, the police have issued an advisory to thwart a similar incident.

“In light of this act of grenade throwing in the busy Sunday market near Amira Kadal bridge, all civilians are requested to be vigilant and report any suspected activity to thwart the nefarious designs of militants,” a police spokesperson was quoted as saying.

The Inspector-General of Police (Kashmir zone) Vijay Kumar said that police are working on clues to identify and arrest those involved in the grenade attack. In a statement, the IGP has said that the police have initiated an investigation in the attack after a case was registered under relevant sections of law in respective police stations.

There have been several grenade attacks in the region, including one Downtown earlier as well, but this is the first such attack in Srinagar this year that has claimed the lives of at least two civilians and injured so many. No militant group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack. The blast, which was followed by a commotion in the area, was also caught in the nearby CCTV surveillance camera.

The end of the winter season has also been marked by increased violence and similar attacks. The security establishment has heightened security measures in and around Srinagar city to thwart similar attacks. The capital city had witnessed increased violence since last year, especially after October, when militants in the region carried out a spate of brutal civilian killings.

Sunday’s attack was widely condemned by all the political parties, who expressed their resentment over the incident, terming it as a continued “vicious cycle of violence” that mars the region.

“Condemn this dastardly attack. People of J&K have been paying with their lives & sadly neither India nor Pakistan are doing anything to end the conflict & stop this bloodshed. My prayers are with the bereaved families & loved ones,” People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti tweeted.

The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) called it an "unfortunate and highly condemnable act”.

“Those responsible behind the attack must know that they won't achieve anything out of such inhuman acts,” the JKPCC statement read.

CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Taragami said that such heinous incidents of violence have only deteriorated the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, rendering more families to perpetual suffering.

"The vicious circle of violence must stop now. The attack perpetrators must be held accountable and brought to justice. My deepest condolences to family & prayers for early recovery of injured," he said.