Blast near Kashmir assembly sparks panic

Suspected militants in Kashmir staged a grenade attack on Friday near the state assembly, causing panic but only one injury, police and witnesses said.

"A civilian was hurt in a grenade explosion that took place 100 metres (yards) away from the assembly complex," a police spokesman said, adding that the militants had targeted a police bunker.

People ran for cover after the blast, fearing the breakout of a gunbattle between militants and the large number of security forces deployed around the riverside complex in Srinagar.

In October 2001, around 40 people were killed in a suicide attack by suspected Muslim militants on the state assembly.

More than 42,000 people have died since 1989 when militants launched an insurgency against Indian rule in the divided region.