Militants lob grenade in Srinagar, seven injured

Srinagar: Seven people were injured in a grenade attack by suspected militants in a market area in Jammu and Kashmir's summer capital Srinagar on Saturday, police said. The attack comes despite tight security in J&K since the centre revoked the state's decades-old special privileges on August 5.

Militants hurled a grenade in Hari Singh High Street market area — a few hundred metres from the city centre Lal Chowk — this afternoon, a police official said.

The grenade exploded on a roadside in the market, injuring seven people, he said, adding that the wounded were rushed to a hospital here. According to the official, the explosion also damaged the windows of a vehicle parked nearby.

He said the shops in the market were shut but a few vendors had set up stalls in the area. The Kashmir Zone Police tweeted that the area has been cordoned off and a search is in progress. Jammu and Kashmir Police and the CRPF are conducting a search.

Earlier on Friday, a top army officer had said that nearly 500 terrorists are waiting in various training camps along the Line of Control in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, looking for opportunities to sneak into J&K.

'99% areas restriction-free in J&K'

Restrictions on the movement of people have been lifted in "over 99 per cent" areas of Jammu and Kashmir, state government spokesperson Rohit Kansal said on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters here, he asserted that the curbs were necessary to prevent "externally-aided terrorists" from disturbing peace in Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of abrogation of the state's special status under Article 370 in August.

He also said the cases of those who were detained, including political leaders, were being reviewed by the government for their release.

"Barring eight to ten police stations, movement restrictions have now been completely removed. Over 99 per cent of the areas of Jammu and Kashmir have absolutely no movement restrictions," he said.

He said tourists are welcome to visit the state and the government would facilitate their visit.

Internet facilities are being opened at tourist spots to assist those who would want to access it, he added.

Additionally, he also announced that some 40 lakh postpaid mobile phones will become operational from Monday noon.

However, over 20 lakh prepaid mobile phones, and mobile and other internet services will remain deactivated for now.