Two senior NC leaders among 40 injured, one dead in Kashmir blast

Srinagar, Jul 8 (UNI) At least one person was killed and 40 others, including a former minister of National Conference (NC), were injured in a grenade blast today at Kulgam town, the newly created district in south Kashmir.

Official sources said unidentified militants hurled a hand grenade during a procession of NC at Kulgam at 1135 hours.

The grenade exploded causing injuries to more than 40 people.

The injured included former minister Sakeena Itoo, MLC, and other senior leaders of the NC, the main opposition party in the state.

The injured were rushed to hospital where one was declared brought dead. The condition of two others was critical, sources said.

The procession was taken out by the NC supporters to celebrate the district status granted to Kulgam by the government on Thursday.

State secretary of the Communist Party of India (M) Mohammad Yousuf Targami has strongly condemned the attack on the procession.

He said those responsible for the attack could not be friends of the people of the valley.

Appealing people to single them out in the society, he said such attempts only showed the frustration of the elements who wanted to derail the peace process.

Mr Targami said people were fed up with the violence and wanted peace and prosperity.

UNI BAS PK HT1312