TRAGIC MOMENT: Relatives mourn Javid Ahmed, a civilian who was killed in an explosion in Srinagar on Wednesday. — Photo: AP

SRINAGAR: One person was killed and 45 were injured in a car bomb explosion near a busy intersection at Jawahar Nagar here on Wednesday. The condition of at least six of the injured is stated to be critical.

The blast is believed to have been caused by militants detonating the explosive-laden car at 10.45 a.m. It ripped through the car and impacted over a dozen vehicles, tossing up people. Several buildings were extensively damaged.

Javed Ahmed, an Excise department officer travelling in a car, died on the spot.While unconfirmed reports claimed that three Central Reserve Police Force jawans died, Ahmed Ali, DIG of CRPF, said that six personnel, including a deputy commandant, were only injured. "But no one is critical," he said.

Al-Nasreen owns responsibility

Al-Nasreen, a pro-Pakistan militant outfit, has owned responsibility for the blast and warned that such attacks will continue. "By detonating the car bomb we have exposed the security lapses in Srinagar," the spokesman of the outfit told a local news agency over phone.

The blast was heard within the three-km radius. The remains of the car engine and two damaged tyres were flung 300 metres away

"Nothing could be seen as it happened suddenly," said a man, who emerged from his shopwhich bore the brunt of the explosion near the graveyard. "It is a miracle that I am alive."

"It was an earthshaking blast and I just fell down," said Dilfiza Shah, a State Bank of India employee.

Workers inside the damaged buildings and shops and students in a nearby school suffered severe injuries.

Soon after the blast the CRPF men opened fire in the air to keep the people away from the site. However, some civilians rushed to the spot and evacuated the injured to hospital.

Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, condemning the blast, told The Hindu : "Spilling of blood is highly condemnable and no civil society can accept this. Those who are indulging in such activity are undermining the people's urge for peace and normality."

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page

News: Front Page | National | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh | Karnataka | Kerala | New Delhi | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous | Engagements |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary | Updates: Breaking News |