Two people were killed and 30 others were injured when militants made a failed attempt on the life of Jammu and Kashmir Public Works Minister Naeem Akhtar at Tral in Pulwama.
Tral is the home of popular Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani who was killed on July 8, 2016.
Naeem escaped unhurt, but the attack left him and the security forces rattled as the security arrangements were very tight.
The attack happened at the Tral bus stand, when the minister was going to inspect the development works in the volatile township.
A grenade was lobbed at his cavalcade, which missed the target, injuring 32 people including seven CRPF men, two policemen and 21 civilians.
The injured were removed to the hospital where two civilians, Pinky Kaur, a student of Islamic University of Sciences and Technology, and Ghulam Nabi were killed.
“It was an attack on the motorcade of VIP. The grenade struck the crowd causing deaths and injuries,” said Dr Shesh Paul Vaid, Director General of Police.
Superintendent of Police, Awantipora, Zahid Malik, said no pellets were fired. Some shots were fired in the air to prevent any further attacks. “Forces showed maximum restraint during the incident,” he said.
Naeem said the loss of civilian lives pained and haunted him. “It is really unfortunate that a grenade was lobbed at our cavalcade when we reached Tral bazaar,'' he said. ''I wonder why they chose this day (first day of Islamic Calendar) to repeat Karbala (battle of Karbala in which Prophet Muhammad’s grandson was killed by the army of Yazid.”
He appealed to the militants to shun violence, saying bloodshed will not lead to anything.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said the vicious cycle of violence needed to be broken.
After the attack, Union Minister for Home Rajnath Singh called up Naeem to enquire about his well being.
Opposition National Conference also condemned the attack on the works minister.
