• Two serious, 9 out of danger: MS SMHS
• Terrorists will pay a heavy price: LG Sinha
* No justification for targeting innocent lives: CM
• IGP Kashmir, DC Srinagar among other officials visited injured at hospital
• Security beefed up in Srinagar, other areas
Srinagar, Nov 03: At least twelve civilians were injured in a grenade attack on a bustling flea market near the Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) in Srinagar on Sunday. The injured were immediately rushed to SMHS Hospital, where officials reported that two patients are in serious condition while the others are stable.
According to police, the explosion occurred in a busy area known for its popular Sunday market. The grenade was reportedly aimed at CRPF personnel stationed near the TRC on Residency Road but missed its target, striking a nearby street vendor’s cart instead. The incident caused panic, with shoppers fleeing for cover.
The injured have been identified as Misba Bano (17), Azaan Kaloo (17), Habibullah Rather (50), Altaf Ahmad (21), Faizal Ahmad (16), Umer Farooq, Faizan Mushtaq (20), Zahid Wani (19), Gulam Muhammad Sofi (55), and Sumaiya Jan (45).
A police spokesman said that around 2:10 PM, terrorists lobbed a hand grenade at a security force deployment near crowded Sunday Market of Srinagar.
“The grenade exploded within the crowd, injuring 12 civilians, one among them a lady who sustained serious injuries.
Police has taken cognizance of this act of terror and is committed to ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
Meanwhile, a case FIR No. 66/2024 under sections of 16 UAP Act, 109, 115(2) BNS and 3/4 of Explosives Substances Act has been registered in Police Station Kothibagh and investigation has been set into motion.
Medical Superintendent SMHS, Tasneen Showkat confirmed that the hospital received 11 patients, with two in serious condition and nine stable and out of danger.
In response to the attack, joint teams of the CRPF and Police launched a search operation in the area to apprehend the attackers. A police case has been registered, and an investigation is underway to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
It was the sixth attack by terrorists in the Kashmir Valley since the formation of an elected government headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
This marks the sixth attack by terrorists in the Kashmir Valley since the establishment of an elected government headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Following the explosion, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, VK Birdi, visited the injured at SMHS Hospital. He expressed hopes for a speedy recovery and assured that measures would be taken against the perpetrators.
Health Minister Sakina Masood and Srinagar Deputy Commissioner Dr. Bilal Mohiuddin also visited the hospital to check on the injured and directed that all necessary medical facilities be provided.
In light of recent terror activities, security has been intensified across Srinagar and surrounding areas. A senior police officer stated that additional police and paramilitary forces have been deployed at vital locations, with enhanced surveillance through CCTV, checkpoints, and frisking points.
A senior police officer told Rising Kashmir that following multiple terror attacks since the past few days, security has been beefed in Srinagar and adjoining areas.
“We have clear directions from the higher-ups to intensify surveillance and maintain vigil across hotspots in the region. The security situation is being reviewed and loopholes are being addressed closely,” he said.
This is the first grenade blast in Srinagar in over a year. It comes a day after a Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist commander, who the police have identified as Usman Lashkari, was killed in an encounter in Khanyar area of Srinagar. Four security personnel — two each from the J&K Police and the CRPF — were injured in the day-long encounter, police said.
In another anti-terror operation, two terrorists were killed by security forces in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district. The encounter broke out near Halkan Gali in the Shangus-Larnoo area.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha spoke to top security officials, including Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, and called for an “effective and forceful” response.
He directed the security officials for an effective and forceful response to punish the terrorists and their associates. The Lieutenant Governor reaffirmed the government’s resolve not to allow terrorist elements to succeed in their nefarious designs.
“Terrorists targeting our citizens will have to pay a very heavy price for their actions. You have full freedom to crush terror outfits and leave no stone unturned to complete this mission,” the Lieutenant Governor told the senior security officials.
The Lieutenant Governor wished speedy recovery of those injured and directed that district administration should extend all possible assistance.
Chief minister Omar Abdullah condemned the incident, calling it “deeply disturbing.”
In a post on X, he said “The last few days have been dominated by headlines of attacks & encounters in parts of the valley. Today’s news of a grenade attack on innocent shoppers at the ‘Sunday market’ in Srinagar is deeply disturbing.”
CM Omar further said “There can be no justification for targeting innocent civilians. The security apparatus must do everything possible to end this spurt of attacks at the earliest so that people can go about their lives without any fear.
