A civilian was killed and 14 others were injured, six of them critically, in a mysterious blast outside the office of Tehsildar near Slathia Chowk in Udhampur on Wednesday.
The powerful blast created panic in the area. Several vital installations including Northern Command headquarters, Air Force station are also located in the district.
The relatively peaceful district witnessed a blast almost after a gap of 11 long years.
Earlier, terrorists had set-off a car bomb explosion near the Northern Command Headquarters in which a civilian was killed and four others were injured on May 3, 2011.
According to preliminary investigations carried out by the local police authorities the blast was reported around 12. 50 p.m in which one of the street vendors selling fresh vegetables bore the maximum brunt and succumbed to his fatal injuries in the district hospital.
Majority of residents injured in the blast had received splinter injuries.
Medical Superintendent of the Udhampur District Hospital Dr Vijay Raina told reporters they had received 15 injuries in the hospital after the blast took place. One of the injured succumbed to his injuries while doctors on the duty struggled to revive him. Dr Raina said several patients had splinter injuries.
Additional Director General of Police Jammu Zone, Mukesh Singh also visited the site of blast at Salathia Chowk Udhampur and inspected the scene with DIG, SSP, NIA officials, CRPF commandant and bomb disposal experts. Briefing media persons Mukesh Singh said, preliminary examination suggests a low intensity IED explosion took place in which one civilian lost his life while 14 others were injured. He said, a forensic examination and careful and minute scrutiny of the site will reveal more accurate facts. Investigation of the case has commenced. Singh also visited the injured at the hospital and spoke to them.