New Delhi: A child died and five others received injuries in a blast that took place at the Upper Dhangri village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district Monday. The incident came a day after four civilians were killed and six others injured at the same village in a suspected terror attack Sunday.
According to eyewitnesses and police officials, two alleged militants had fired upon three houses of minorities Sunday, after confirming their identities via Aadhar cards. During the firing, three people died on the spot and another succumbed to injuries while being airlifted to Jammu. Several others who sustained injuries were also shifted to Jammu, while some are receiving treatment in Rajouri.
According to the 2011 Census, Rajouri district constitutes over 62 per cent Muslim population.
“A blast occurred near the house of the victim of yesterday’s (Sunday) firing incident in Rajouri’s Upper Dangri village. One child has succumbed to injuries. Five person injured, one critical. Another suspected IED was spotted which is being cleared,” said Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Mukesh Singh.
Days earlier, two other civilians were also killed in another alleged terror attack in Rajouri.
Following Sunday’s attack, Army and police personnel were rushed to Upper Dhangri village and the area was cordoned off. However, the attackers managed to flee from the spot. The three houses, where the firing took place, were separated by a distance of 50 meters.
‘Dastardly attack’
A complete bandh to protest against the killings was called by various organisations such as the Sanatan Dharma Sabha, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Beopar Mandal and Bajrang Dal Massive in Rajouri Monday.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh and a government job to the next of kin of the victims killed in the “dastardly attack”. Those “seriously injured” would be given Rs 1 lakh.
“Officials have been directed to ensure best treatment to the injured,” announced Sinha
Political parties in the state have also criticised Sunday’s incident. While former chief ministers Omar Abdullah, Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mehbooba Mufti condemned the attack, Jammu & Kashmir BJP Chief Ravinder Raina said “Pakistani terrorists have done a sin. Murderers of Dhangri will be killed”.
Two other civilians were killed in early December in Rajouri while five Army soldiers also succumbed to injuries after an attack on an Army camp in Darhal area of the district in August last year.
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