Minister Naeem Akhtar had a narrow escape while two people were killed and over 30 injured
Militants hurled a grenade at a senior Jammu and Kashmir Public Works Minister Naeem Akhtar's cavalcade in Tral on Thursday, killing two civilians and over 30 including, seven CRPF men and two policemen.
Naeem escaped unhurt in the militant attack that sent shock waves down the Mehbooba Mufti-led government since security forces had made elaborate security arrangements to ensure incident-free visit of the minister to Tral, nicknamed as Khandhar of Kashmir owing to huge militant infestation.
The incident occurred on Thursday morning when Naeem was on way to inspect the developmental works in the restive south Kashmir township. When the cavalcade reached at a bus stand, militants tossed a powerful grenade which hit the last vehicle and rebounded into the market which was bustling with activities
The grenade exploded causing injuries to more than 32 people that included seven CRPF men, two policemen and 21 civilians. The injured were immediately shifted to hospital where Pinky Kour, a student of Islamic University of Sciences and Technology and 70-year-old retired teacher Ghulam Nabi Trag were killed.
Police said all the civilians were shifted to Sub District Hospital (SDH) Tral where from 16 civilians and two CRPF men were discharged while rest of the injured were shifted to Srinagar hospital.
"It was an attack on the motorcade of VIP. The grenade struck the crowd causing deaths and injuries," said Dr Shesh Paul Vaid, Director General of Police.
Deputy Inspector General of Police, south Kashmir range, SP Pani said the grenade was thrown on last vehicle of DSP's cavalcade. "Tral market is a very crowded place and people were busy buying shopping. When the (minister's) cavalcade passed, militants targeted the last vehicle of the DSP cavalcade. But the grenade fell on ground and exploded," he said.
Teen dies
A 17-year-old student of Islamic University of Sciences and Technology and a 70-year-old retired teacher Ghulam Nabi Trag were killed.
A tight arrangement was made to ensure incident-free visit for Minister Naeem Akhtar to Tral. It is nicknamed as Khandhar of Kashmir owing to huge militant infestation.
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