At least 13 Central Reserve Police Force soldiers were injured in a powerful blast in the heart of Srinagar, two days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the state.
The blast at the heavily-guarded CRPF camp at Nowpora came even as authorities mounted a security bandobast across the state, especially in Srinagar where the prime minister is scheduled to address a public rally -- his second in Kashmir.
A senior police officer said terrorists lobbed a powerful hand grenade into the camp compound, injuring 13 jawans.
The injured troopers were evacuated to hospital. The condition of four jawans, according to hospital sources, is serious.
The area has been cordoned off and search operations are in progress.
Preparations are on in full swing for the prime minister's visit on Saturday.
The ruling coalition partners -- Peoples Democratic Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party -- are trying very hard to make the rally a big success. The PDP has asked its leaders and MLAs to bring their supporters in large numbers to the rally being held in the Sher-e-Kashmir stadium.
The BJP too is mobilising its cadres to join Saturday's rally.
Modi's visit has been billed as 'historic' by Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who is expecting a big financial package for the state.
The separatists have, however, called for a counter-rally near the venue on Saturday.
Scores of people, including separatist leaders, have been detained to scuttle the ‘million march’ and the rally called by hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
Geelani's call has been supported by other separatist leaders, including moderate separatist leader Mirwaiz Moulvi Umar Farooq and pro-independence Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Umar Farooq.
Photographs: Umar Ganie
