J&K: Two mysterious explosions were reported in the Narwal area of Jammu on Saturday morning. According to officials, atleast nine people were injured in the incident.
The first blast occurred around 10.45 am. The second blast followed around half an hour after that.
"Twin blasts occurred in Narwal area of Jammu, 6 people are injured. The bomb disposal squad has reached the spot. Also search operations are underway," said Mukesh Singh, ADGP Jammu Zone.
Area cordoned off
"The whole area has been cordoned off and the injured evacuated to hospital," PTI quoted a police official as saying
Both the blasts reportedly took place within an interval of 30 minutes. The first blast took place at 11:00 am and the second one around 11:30 am.
Empty cartridges from a 12-bore gun were found at the scene of the incident.
Bombs planted in cars
According to sources, a Mahendra Bolero was used in the first blast and a chevron cruise in the second.
LG Manoj Sinha condemns incident
Police suspect that IEDs were used to carry out the twin explosions in an SUV parked in a repair shop and in a vehicle at a nearby junkyard at Transport Nagar area of Narwal.
The blasts come at a time when security agencies in the region are on high alert in the wake of the Bharat Jodo yatra and the upcoming Republic Day celebrations.
Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha strongly condemned the incident and directed agencies to take urgent steps to nab the culprits.
"A blast occurred in an old, parked Bolero around 11 am," additional director general of police Mukesh Singh said.
The area was immediately cleared of people but another blast occurred 50 metres away, he said.
A total of nine persons were brought with splinter injuries to Government Medical College (GMC) hospital following the blasts. "We have received nine patients with one having abdominal injuries and two others fractured legs. The condition of all of them is stable," said a doctor at the hospital.
The Bharat Jodo Yatra
The Bharat Jodo Yatra entered Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district on Thursday evening from Punjab and the people taking part in it are camping in Chadwal, about 70 km from Jammu. After a day's break on Saturday, the yatra, which started inKanyakumari on September 7, is scheduled to resume and reach Jammu on January 23.
Mr Jaswinder Singh, an eyewitness, said the first blast occurred in a vehicle that was at a workshop for repair. About 15 minutes later, another explosion took place in the area littered with damaged parts and garbage, said Singh, the president of the Motor Spare Parts Association.
Another eyewitness, Raj Kumar, said he was working on a vehicle when the blast ripped apart another parked vehicle. "We initially thought that the petrol tank of some vehicle exploded but the blast was so powerful that it blew up the vehicle," he said.
"Such dastardly acts highlight the desperation and cowardice of those responsible. Take immediate and firm action. No efforts should be spared to bring the perpetrators to justice," the Lt Governor said. Mr Sinha also announced assistance of Rs50,000 to the injured. The Lt Governor said that the administration would ensure the best possible treatment and extend every help required by the families.
Congress MP and AICC incharge of Jammu and Kashmir Rajani Patil strongly condemned the twin blasts. The CPI and AAP alleged that the incident reflected the "failure" of the BJP's policy in the Union territory. "Jammu blasts reveal once again the failure of BJP's J-K Policy. Abrogation of Art.370 and demonetisation adventures misfired.Terrorism is on the increase," CPI MP Binoy Viswam said on Twitter. The BJP's policy of "communal hatred has badly affected the country's unity," he alleged.
(with PTI inputs)
