J&K: 5 killed, 32 hurt in grenade attack

Five persons including a former legislator were killed and over 32 others including a former minister wounded in a militant grenade attack at Kulgam in south Kashmir Anantnag district this afternoon.

Police sources in Srinagar said militants lobbed a powerful hand grenade at Sakina Ittoo a senior National Conference leader and a sitting legislator in Kulgam town on Saturday afternoon.

"One person died on the spot while three others including a former legislator Ghulam Nabi Dar succumbed to their injuries in the hospital at Anantnag and in capital Srinagar," said a senior police officer.

He said Sakina was leaving the Shrine in Kulgam town after paying her respects when militants lobbed a powerful handgrenade at her.

The injured are being treated in hospitals at Kulgam, Anantnag and in capital Srinagar. High tension gripped Kulgam town and security forces are searching the area.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. Earlier Sakina escaped attempts on her life in Kulgam. Sakina Ittoo is being airlifted to Srinagar for treatment, sources said.