Srinagar, March 19
A huge blast on a flyover in the heart of the city today evening left one person dead and 17 injured, breaking a long spell of lull in the summer capital of the state. The Hizbul Mujahideen claimed responsibility for the blast.
The massive explosion near Jahangir chowk, which blew apart the parapet and a section of thick flyover, was most likely to be caused by triggering of an IED and many injuries were caused by falling of the broken cemented slabs on the busy market below. All injured persons have been identified except one man who remains unconscious.
The police officers inspecting the spot said the casualty could have been much higher if the blast had occurred in the market.
A senior officer said militants could be targeting CRPF personnel who are often present in a good number on the flyover. He said Hizbul Mujahideen was the most likely suspect and it was also behind a similar, though less powerful, IED blast in Rajbagh a few months back, which had injured two soldiers.
The blast occurred at 5.30 pm. An eyewitness told The Tribune that it was one deafening sound and surroundings remained thick with haze and rubble for a few minutes. “I was just speaking to a customer when this mind numbing sound occurred. We all ran away,” Maqbool, a fruit vendor said. Glasses of shops and even Jahangir Hotel, which is at least 50 meters away from the spot, were broken. “My ears are still ringing and I can’t hear properly,” Sirajuddin, a local said.
