Search the Internet            Tips

28 hurt in Srinagar blast

Twenty-eight persons were wounded in a massive explosion in the heavily guarded telecommunication complex on Tuesday morning.

Earlier reports had stated that 10 to 18 persons were injured.

A prominent separatist leader and former chief commander of pro-Pak Hizbollah escaped an attempt at his house at Buchwara in uptown Srinagar too.

Police said two gunmen came to the house of Shahidul Islam in the morning. Both gunmen took out pistols and were about to open fire on Shahid. Islam, however, hurled his firepot on the two militants, forcing them to flee. Police sources said the militants fired a shot, which nearly missed Islam, a senior leader of the pro-Pakistan Awami Action Committee headed by Moulvi Omar Farooq.

No one has owned responsibility for the attempt, which the AAC has condemned.

An early morning blast at the Telecom complex rocked the Civil Lines area. Sources said the massive explosion resulted in injuries to 28 civilians, who were in queue to deposit their telephone bills.

Sources said a portion of the telecom office was damaged in the explosion.

Police and security forces rushed to the complex, which is guarded by the Central Reserve Police Force.

Police officials visited the spot and ordered massive beef-up in security around the complex, which houses the main telephone exchange and office of the general manager, telecom, Kashmir.

The injured are being treated at SMHS hospital. The condition of two persons is stated to be critical.

The alleged custody killing of a medical shop owner at Kheipore Tangmarg in north Kashmir triggered massive protests in the morning. Senior police officers have gone to the spot. Police sources said Abdul Majeed Khan, a shop owner, was picked up by the army on Monday and his body was handed over to the local police on Tuesday morning.

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report