Two grenade attacks by militants in Kashmir,4th in week

Srinagar, Jan 18: Militants carried out two grenade attacks on security forces within a span of few minutes in the Kashmir valley, including Lal Chowk, the never centre of the summer capital, Srinagar.

This is the second grenade attack during less than 24 hours in Srinagar and fourth in the last about a week in the valley.

Official sources told TNN that militants hurled a grenade at a security forces party, deployed in near historic Ghanta Ghar in Lal Chowk, at around 1355 hrs.

However, the grenade missed the target and exploded under a civilian vehicle, resulting in damage to the car and adjoining shops.

“People in the area, including women and children, ran for safety. Traffic came to halt in the busy area and shopkeepers took shelter inside their shops, an eyewitness told TNN.

“The militants managed to escape from the spot following chaos created due to the explosion,” sources said.

Meanwhile, militants lobbed a grenade at state police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) camp at village Gagran in south Kashmir district of Shopian on Friday afternoon. “The grenade missed the target and exploded without causing any injury or damage in the camp,” they said, adding the militants managed to escape.

The security forces have been rushed to both the areas and search operations have been launched in adjoining areas to nab the attackers.

The attacks came at a time when a fresh alert was issued following a grenade attack on Thursday evening near Zero-bridge in Srinagar and intelligence reports that militants can carry out attacks on or before the Republic Day (RD).

Three policemen, including an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), a Head Constable and a Constable, were injured in a grenade attack on Thursday evening near Zero-Bridge in Srinagar. Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militant outfit claimed the responsibility of the attack.

Militants on January 11 hurled a hand grenade towards a picket of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), at Lal Chowk in Srinagar. No one was injured in the attack.