Srinagar, Sep 20 (KNS): Two civilians were killed while 30 other were injured when some unidentified persons hurled a grenade at Bus Stand Tral at the time when PWD minister Naeem Akhtar’s cavalcade was moving through the town.
Police said that today in the afternoon, “terrorists hurled a grenade at Bus Stand Tral, resulting in on the spot death of two innocent civilians”.
They were identified as Pinky Kour daughter of Ichpal Singh of Chattrogam and Ghulam Nabi Trag son of Ghulam Ahmad Trag of Tral-e-Payeen and injuries to 30 others, police said.
“The injured included 07 CRPF men, 02 policemen and 21 civilians,” the police said in a statement.
“All the civilians were shifted to SDH Tral where from 16 civilians and 02 CRPF men were discharged while rest of the injured were shifted to Srinagar hospital,” police said.
Terming the use of pellets as reported in by some social media as totally baseless, SP Awantipora Zahid Malik said that no pellet was fired, “however some shots were fired in air to prevent any further attack”.
He said that the forces showed maximum restrain during the incident.
The blast occurred when PWD minister Naeem Akhtar was travelling to Tral along with his cavalcade of security and officials to inaugurate and lay foundation of several projects.
Condemning the attack, Akhtar said, it is really unfortunate that grenade was lobbed at our cavalcade when we reached Tral bazaar.
“Tragic loss of innocent lives in this gory incident will always pain and haunt me,” he said.
He said the perpetrators must eschew the path of violence because till date they have accomplished nothing out of bloodshed except adding to the miseries and sufferings of the people.
"I wonder why they chose this day (1st Muharram) to repeat Karbala,” he said.
The Minister said unfortunately the incidents of violence like today's grenade attack are only aimed at reversing the developmental process which was initiated in Tral area.
"People of Tral like other places too want dependable basic amenities and other facilities and they have every right to demand it from the government and elected representatives," he said and urged the people of the area to see and analyse themselves for how much time such incidents can keep Tral out of bounds for development.
The Minister said government has been focusing to lead Tral into a new era of development but it is these unfortunate incidents of violence that stall the process.
"For ages Tral has been unable to cherish the fruits of development and we in the government wanted to change this scenario by taking up various projects of development. Our work received a fillip during the last few months as there was comparative peace in the area," said the Minister. "As of now works worth Rs 100 cr are underway in Tral and our focus is to work in such a way so as to make up for the lost time."
While pointing to the injured SE of R&B, the Minister said that the officials like him have done a commendable job and it is the general people whose life have been made easier due to the roads and buildings built by them. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of driver of the department who was also injured in the incident. (KNS)