Explosion in Poonch market injures 17, one critical

Srinagar: A massive bomb went off near the transit camp of the holy Buddha Amaranth yatra injuring more than 17 people, including some yatris, in the border district of Poonch in Jammu division on Saturday evening.

Explosion occurred outside Dashnami Akhara temple at 8 pm when there was a huge bustle in the area. Seventeen people were injured, one of them critically, in the explosion that sent security forces into a tizzy in the border district.

Deputy inspector general of police, Rajouri-Poonch range, Johny William told dna that it was a crude device with low intensity. “Sixteen to seventeen people are injured. The injured include three to four yatris. The injuries are minor in nature. Only one lady is critical and we are shifting her to Jammu in an Air Force chopper,” he said.

Reinforcements have been rushed to the area and a massive operation has been launched to nab the people involved in the blast, the DIG said.

Security has been tightened after the blast to prevent any untoward incident given the sensitivity of the issue. Security forces are making all efforts to maintain order and thwart plans of anti national elements to whip up passions.