SRINAGAR: Militants lobbed a grenade at a security force party in Lal Chowk, the never centre of the summer capital, Srinagar on Friday.
This is the third grenade attack in the last week and second in less than 24 hours in Srinagar.
Official sources said that militants hurled a grenade at a security force party, deployed near historic Ghanta Ghar in Lal Chowk, at around 1355 hrs.
However, the grenade missed the target and exploded under a civilian vehicle, resulting in damage to the car and adjoining shops.
The militants managed to escape from the spot following chaos created due to the explosion, sources said.
People in the area, including women and children, ran for safety, an eyewitness said.
He said the traffic came to halt in the busy area and shopkeepers took shelter inside their shops.
Security forces have been rushed to the area and a search operation has been launched in adjoining areas to nab the attackers.
The attack came at a time when a fresh alert was issued following a grenade attack on Thursday evening near Zero-bridge and intelligence reports that militants can carry out attack on or before the Republic Day (RD).
Three policemen, including an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), a Head Constable and a Constable, were injured in a grenade attack on Thursday evening near Zero-Bridge in Srinagar. Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militant outfit claimed the responsibility of the attack.
Militants on January 11 hurled a hand grenade towards a picket of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), at Lal Chowk in Srinagar. No one was injured in the attack.
(AGENCIES)
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