16 BJP workers injured as Militants lob grenades

Jammu, May 17 (UNI) At least 16 people, mostly BJP workers and Village Defence Committee (VDC) members were wounded when militants lobbed grenades at their dharna at Ramleela ground near bus stand in Doda here today, official sources said.

Militants lobbed two grenades on the BJP workers and VDCs sitting at a dharna, protesting recent killings of innocent people in the Doda district and demanding weapons to fight against militancy, sources said.

Security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to track down people responsible for the attack.

It was second militant attack on BJP workers holding dharna, which completed 16 days today.

On May 13, militants had hurled grenade at same venue in which two BJP activists were killed while 41 people were injured.

Condemning the militant attack, BJP's state unit president, Prof Nirmal Singh said the Jammu and Kashmir government has adopted a soft approach towards militants in view of May 25 Round Table Conference in Srinagar.

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