Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Apr 27: At least 17 persons were injured today in Central Kashmir district of Budgam ahead of National Conference candidate, Dr Farooq Abdullah’s rally while a grenade hurled at his rally in Khanyar area of Srinagar created panic.
Abdullah was attending a rally at Gousia Waqf Secondary School Khanyar, when a grenade hurled by unknown militants exploded inside the compound of the school. While addressing the rally shortly after the grenade attack, he said: “I won’t be scared even if thousands of grenades are hurled on me.”
An eyewitness said that the grenade exploded inside the school compound. However, no one was injured in the incident.
The witness said that blast took place few minutes before Dr Abdullah was to address the rally. The blast created panic among the audience and some of them jumped over the boundary wall of the school in panic and fled away. However, most of the people stayed back. Abdullah addressed the gathering soon after the blast under tight security.
Senior police and para-military CRPF officials reached the spot and additional forces were brought in and searches of the area were conducted but no one was picked up.
A police spokesman said here: “This afternoon sound of an explosion was heard in Khanyar, Srinagar. There were no reports of any injury to anyone. Police has started investigation into the matter as to what caused the sound of the explosion. A political rally held in the area concluded normally.”
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah denied that any grenade blast took place during his father’s rally in Khanyar. “There was no blast at the venue of Dr Abdullah’s election rally in Srinagar. There was a sound that was heard in the distance”, Omar tweeted soon after the blast. “The election rally continued without disturbance and the police are working to ascertain the source of the noise that was heard,” he wrote.
Omar said he had no doubt that efforts would be made to derail the electoral process in the State but the violent forces will not be allowed to succeed.
“While I have no doubt that an effort will be made to derail the electoral process, these violent forces will not be allowed to succeed,” Omar said.
Soon after the grenade attack at Khanyar in Srinagar, another grenade was hurled in Magam in Budgam ahead of Abdullah’s rally in which 17 persons were injured, three of them grievously.
“Seventeen persons with splinter injuries were admitted to Sub-District Hospital, Magam. Three of them were discharged after given first aid while 14 others have been referred to SKIMS hospital, Bemina for specialized treatment”, Block Medical Officer, Dr Khalid Rashid said.
“Three of the seriously injured have been shifted to SKIMS hospital, Bemina. Nazir Ahmad Mir of Ratsuna has serious eye injury and two others, Haleema Bano of Khag and Mugli Begium have lower abdominal injuries”, said the BMO.
The other injured include Ruhullah, Nazir Ahmad Mir and Parvez Ahmad of Magam, Shahid Nazir of Makhama, Nadeem Shah of Baramulla, Ghulam Hassan Rahi of Kunzer Tangmarg, Abdul Majeed Dar and Mohammad Maqbool of Pattan, Abdur Rashid Hajam, and Ghulam Rasool Hajam, Mohammad Lateef Khan and all residents of Khag, Budgam and Ghulam Mohammad Rather of Dangerpora, Mushtaq Waza of Tahama and Bashir Ahmad Dar of Narbal.
A police spokesman said: “This forenoon an explosion was reported from Sumo stand in Magam in Budgam district. The explosion occurred under a Tavera vehicle parked in sumo stand. It caused a very small impact on the road and damage to its left front wheel. As a result of some splinters from the vehicle minor injuries were caused to three persons – Nazir Ahmad Shah son of Aataullah Shah resident of Sheikhwara, Bala, Nazir Ahmad Mir son of Abdul Rahim resident of Ratsunna, Beerwa and Mugli Begum wife of Abdul Ahad resident of Kanihama. The injured have been provided medical help. Police has taken cognizance of the matter and started investigation into the nature of the explosion.”
Abdullah who addressed a rally at Magam shortly after the grenade attack thanked people for coming in large number despite a grenade attack in the town. “I am thankful to you that you came to the rally despite the grenade attack. One was hurled in the morning as well”, he said adding “it is the handiwork of those parties who don’t want peace here”.
In the meantime, this morning posters of Hizbul Mujahideen appeared in parts of old city in Srinagar asking people not to vote and participate in the election rallies. The HM through posters warned workers of the NC and PDP. However, police immediately removed these posters.
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