16 soldiers wounded in Kashmir blast, HM claims responsibility

Srinagar, June 1 (UNI) In the first major strike by militants in the summer capital of the Jammu and Kashmir this year, sixteen soldiers were wounded in a mine blast triggered by Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) this morning.

However, a defence ministry spokesman said only three army personnel were wounded in the blast.

Official sources said militants triggered a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted on the bank of river Jhelum on the opposite side of Presentation Convent High School at Rajbagh at 0700 hrs when an army convoy was passing the area.

They said 16 soldiers were injured after one side of the bus carrying the soldiers was damaged in the blast, sound of which was heard in the entire civil lines and uptown area.

The window panes of nearby school have been damaged due to the impact of the blast.

A sweeper said he was cleaning the road near the school when a loud blast took place.

Another eyewitness said he saw a number of injured soldiers coming out of the bus. He saw one side of the bus damaged in the blast.

This was the first major strike by militants in the city this year.

However, this was the third IED blast in the same area, targetting security force convoy.

Students, who had come from different parts of the city and outskirts had to return to their homes as the school authorities closed the school for two days in view of the blast.

A HM spokesman told local media persons that triggered the blast in which more than a dozen soldiers were killed.

Almost all the VIPs and army and convoy of other security agencies are using the same route, being considered safe for the movement as a large nubmer of security personnel remained deployed on both side of the road since morning till late in the evening.

About two-km-long road from Radio Kashmir crossing to Bakshi stadium remained closed for all civil traffic for about one hour in the evening daily to allow army convoy to pass. Even the pedestrains had to wait till the last army vehicle cross the road.

UNI