In a major strike ahead of Independence Day, militants on Monday lobbed a grenade targeting security forces patrolling the venue of the August 15th function in Bandipora district but it missed the target killing two persons and injuring 20 on the roadside.
The ultras hurled a hand grenade towards the security personnel patrolling a stadium where the Independence Day function is to be held at Nowpora, 55 kms from Srinagar, around 13.45 pm, official sources said.
The device missed the target and exploded on the roadside injuring 22 persons.
Among the injured, 12 were referred to Srinagar for specialised treatment where two of the critically wounded were declared brought dead, the sources said adding the condition of three more was stated to be serious.
The rest were being treated at the district hospital in Bandipora.
The sources said security forces immediately cordoned off the entire area near the scene of the blast and a massive hunt was launched to nab the militants involved in the attack.
This was the major strike by militants in the valley after authorities further beefed up the security in the valley ahead of Independence Day.
{{/usCountry}}This was the major strike by militants in the valley after authorities further beefed up the security in the valley ahead of Independence Day.
{{/usCountry}}Over the past couple of days, security forces have recovered a number of IEDs and live grenades at public places in different parts of the valley thus foiling attempts by militants to set off explosions.