Toll in Jammu grenade blast rises to two; investigation underway as prime suspect reveals Hizbul Mujahideen behind attack

The toll in the grenade blast at the busy BC Road bus stand in Jammu rose to two on Friday, after a person undergoing treatment succumbed to his injuries. Several people were injured and taken to the hospital after the attack around noon on Thursday. The area had been cordoned off by the police and a detailed investigation into the incident is still underway. The prime suspect Yasir Bhatt was arrested and confessed to his crime, Inspector General of Jammu Police MK Sinha said in a press briefing, adding that he was tasked with this attack by the Hizbul Mujahideen district commander in Kulgam. Bhatt was apprehended at the Nagrota toll post while he was escaping after throwing the grenade. “CCTV footage was examined and oral testimonies were taken to ascertain the suspect,” Sinha said. 17-year-old Mohammad Sharik succumbed to splinter injuries in the chest, the officials told PTI. Four people were in critical condition after the grenade reportedly went off under a bus. The injured included 11 residents of Kashmir, two from Bihar and one each from Chattisgarh and Haryana. Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik announces an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of the kin of the deceased and Rs 20,000 each to those injured in the incident. As per Sinha, those injured in the blast have been admitted for treatment to the Government Medical College (GMC) hospital. “The clear intention of this blast was to disturb internal peace. We are collecting evidence. Investigation is going on and no suspect has been taken into custody yet,” said Sinha.

J&K: Blast at Jammu bus stand. Injured admitted to hospital. Area has been cordoned off by security personnel pic.twitter.com/utO7RX0GOp

— ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2019

Windscreens of a parked state road transport corporation (SRTC) bus were damaged in the blast, a police official told PTI. Tensions have been mounting in Jammu and Kashmir ever since the 14 February Pulwama attack on CRPF personnel and following air strikes by India in Pakistan and the neighbouring country’s retaliatory action on 26 and 27 February respectively. Frequent ceasefire violations by Pakistan have been reported since at least a week. This is the third grenade attack by terrorists in the BC Road bus stand area since May last year.