Blast in Srinagar court, police official injured

Srinagar, Feb 22 (UNI) A massive blast today rocked the heavily-guarded Srinagar court complex leaving a police official critically wounded, official sources said.

They said an explosive device went off in ''mohala Khana''-- a room where police kept seized goods, including arms and ammunition.

A selection grade constable Mohammad Shafi, who was looking for some seized goods which were to be presented in the court as evidence against an accused, was injured in the blast.

Shafi, incharge of the room, was admitted to hospital in a critical condition.

The room caught fire immediately after the blast, they said.

The blast was so powerful that the explosion was heard in the entire area, including historic Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the summer capital.

Fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the blaze.

Eyewitnesses said people, including lawyers and others, ran for their safety after the blast.

Senior police and civil officials visited the spot.

Meanwhile, the Kashmir Bar Association has protested against the incident and demanded immediate shifting of the Mohala Khana from the court premises.

UNI BAS YA DS1403