Five civilians injured in grenade attack in Kashmir

At least five civilians were Tuesday injured in a grenade attack by militants on an army picket in Kupwara district of north Kashmir.

Unidentified militants hurled a grenade at a picket manned by Rashtriya Rifles personnel near the main bus stand in Kupwara district town, 90 km from Srinagar, around 1.45 pm, official sources said.

The grenade fell short of the intended target and exploded outside the picket, resulting in injuries to five pedestrians, they said.

The militants fled the scene taking advantage of panic in the crowded bus stand following the blast, the sources said, adding that police assisted by security forces immediately cordoned off the area and rushed the injured to hospital.

No militant outfit has so far claimed responsibility for the grenade attack. A hunt has been launched to nab the militants, the sources said.