2 soldiers among five injured, 15 houses damaged in Kashmir blast

Baramulla, Dec 30 (UNI) At least five people, including two soldiers and a woman, were injured and 15 houses damaged in a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast that rocked the entire town today.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of police for north Kashmir Srinivasan told UNI that a powerful IED blast took place near a bank at Azad Gunj at 1225 hrs.

He said ten to 15 kg of explosive was likely to have been used for the blast, sound of which was heard in the entire town and adjoining villages.

Official sources said five people, including two soldiers of 46 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and a woman, were injured in the blast.

The injured were admitted to hospital and a security force vehicle was also damaged, the sources added.

Dr Srinivasan said window panes of about 15 houses were also damaged in the blast.

Had it not been a holiday today, there would have been large number of civilians casualties as the area remained crowded on working days, he said.

A massive hunt has been launched to nab the militants responsible for the blast.

UNI