At least 40 people including 17 security men were injured in the 11 grenade attacks that came at a time when Kashmir is reaping the peace dividends of ongoing ceasefire announce by the Centre a day before commencement of Ramadhan.
Police says, lobbing grenades at forces in civilian population areas is an act of frustration “It is perhaps because militants are feeling leadership crisis and now want to show their presence through grenade attacks,” a senior police officer said.
“In the first two incidents that occurred before Ramadhan, we arrested a duo from downtown who were affiliated to Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen outfit. Now that Jaish is claiming responsibility of grenade attacks, we are working on some leads and will crack the group too.” Five grenades were lobbed by militants on June 1, targeting security men and a lawmaker of the ruling party from Pulwama district. Eight persons, including four policemen, were injured in these attacks.
On the anniversary of the first battle of Islam, Battle of Badr, militants carried out a series of grenade attacks in Srinagar, injuring seven persons, including four CRPF personnel. The grenades were lobbed at Fathekadal, Maisuma and Magarmalbagh. One of the grenade attacks in the city centre on June 2 was caught on camera when militants threw a grenade at a bulletproof bunker on the Budshah bridge. On June 3, a grenade was tossed in south Kashmir’s Anantnag.
However, there was no injury to anyone. And the latest was on June 4: when least 23 persons, including eight security men, were injured in two grenade attacks in Shopian and Pulwama districts.