8 tourists killed, 37 injured in five Srinagar grenade blasts

Srinagar, July 11 (UNI) In an upsurge of terrorist violence, at least eight people, six of them tourists from West Bengal were killed and 37 wounded as a series of grenade blast rocked this summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir today.

No militant outfit has claimed responsibility so far. However, one suspected militant was arrested from Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) immediately after the fifth blast. Separatist and mainstream parties condemned the attacks.

An official spokesman said the first blast took place when unidentified people hurled a hand grenade on a tourist tempo at Badyari crossing Dalgae on the bank of Dal Lake today.

Reports said the grenade exploded inside the vehicle, causing the death of three tourists on the spot and injuries to 14 others. Three more later succumbed to their injuries in hospital.

The dead tourists were identified as Sunna Bhattacharyya (48), Kabira Gosh Roy (48), Preatama Bhattacharya (68), Bindhu Haldar, Chayya Bhatacharya and Purabi Muzamdar (48).

Later, security forces and police launched a joint search operation in the area. All vehicles were being searched and people frisked.

An hour later, a grenade explosion took place in a car, at around 1230 hrs at Regal Chowk near here.

They said the car caught fire soon after the blast. Police said four occupants of the vehicle were critically wounded in the explosion and rushed to hospital.

MORE UNI BAS RP RS1905