Jammu: 9 injured in twin blasts amid high security for Bharat Jodo Yatra

Just two days before Congress leader Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra is scheduled to reach Jammu, two back-to-back explosions rocked a busy locality on the outskirts of the city on Saturday (January 21), leaving nine people injured, officials said.

Police suspect that IEDs were used to carry out the twin explosions in an SUV parked in a repair shop and in a vehicle at a nearby junkyard at Transport Nagar area of Narwal.

Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha strongly condemned the incident and called for urgent steps to take action against those responsible.

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The blasts in the transport yard of Narwal were triggered by suspected terrorists at a time when security agencies in the region are on high alert amid the ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra of the Congress and the upcoming Republic Day celebrations.

The first blast occurred around 10.45 am, followed by another explosion, an official said, adding that the whole area was cordoned off and a search operation underway.

Jaswinder Singh, an eyewitness, said the first blast occurred in a vehicle that was sent to a workshop for repairs.

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Fifteen minutes later, another explosion nearby littered the area with damaged parts and garbage, said Singh, chief of the Motor Spare Parts Association.

Five people were injured in the first blast and two more in the second, he added.

Jammu’s deputy mayor Baldev Singh Billawaria said only investigation can reveal where the twin blasts were accidental or linked to militancy.

“I asked the officers & they told me that only after an investigation will they be able to say if the blasts were accidental or linked to militancy. I’ve been told that 7 people are injured & some of them are critical,” he told ANI.

“CRPF, Army, J&K Police are all here and sanitising the area. It is too early to give you any information. Let us first do the investigation, and then we will get back to you,” said Kamal Sisodiya, a CRPF Commandant.

(With inputs from agencies)