Terrorists Launch Grenade Attack in Srinagar Market, Injuring 12
A grenade attack by terrorists in Srinagar’s crowded flea market injured 12 people on Sunday, including two women.
The explosion occurred near the Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) in the heart of the city, close to the heavily guarded All India Radio and Doordarshan Kendra complex, officials said.
The grenade was reportedly aimed at a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) bunker but missed its target, landing on a roadside and injuring civilians, according to a senior police officer. The blast, which took place near the bustling Sunday market, led to panic as shoppers scrambled for safety.
Authorities Launch Search Operation Following Attack
Following the attack, police and paramilitary forces cordoned off the area, rushing the injured to nearby hospitals and initiating a search operation to track down the terrorists. A senior official indicated that the incident may have been a retaliation for Saturday’s elimination of Usman, a top Pakistani commander of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), in Srinagar’s Khanyar area.
Leaders Condemn the Attack
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took to social media to denounce the assault on civilians, describing the grenade attack as “deeply disturbing.” He emphasized that “there can be no justification for targeting innocent civilians” and urged security forces to intensify their efforts to curb such attacks.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also expressed strong condemnation, directing the region’s top security officials to provide a “forceful response” to the terrorists. “The terrorists attacking civilians will pay a very heavy price,” he said, assuring the public that security forces have full authority to act decisively against such groups.
Security Forces Increase Anti-Terror Operations
In response to recent escalations, security forces have intensified anti-terror efforts in the region. On Saturday, they killed three terrorists, including Usman, in separate operations in Srinagar and Anantnag districts. Usman, an experienced LeT commander and Pakistani national, was reportedly involved in multiple attacks, including the killing of Inspector Masroor Wani in October last year. His death is considered a significant blow to LeT’s operations in the valley.
Meanwhile, two terrorists from the People’s Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), an offshoot of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), were killed in a separate encounter in Anantnag. Brigadier Anirudh Chauhan, Commander of the Army’s 2 Sector Rashtriya Rifles, revealed that the group was responsible for the recent killing of Territorial Army Rifleman Hilal Ahmad Bhat.
With multiple attacks and heightened security operations in the region, authorities are on high alert to prevent further incidents and ensure the safety of residents in Srinagar and across Jammu and Kashmir.
