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Kashmir IED Blast: Three More Indian Soldiers Succumb

By Fayaz Wani

Three critically injured Indian para-military soldiers succumbed to yesterday's Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast caused by militants in South Kashmir in restive Kashmir. With the death of three more soldiers, the death toll of Indian para-military soldiers in the powerful explosion has gone up to five.

The militants of pro-Pakistan militant group, Hizbul Mujahideen yesterday afternoon triggered a powerful IED explosion near Panzgama, Kanway in South Kashmir, some 50 kms away from summer capital Srinagar. A vehicle of para-military CRPF was complete damaged in the powerful blast by the militants, killing two para-military soldiers on spot and critically injuring four others.

The injured soldiers were removed to one of the biggest hospitals of restive Kashmir, where despite best efforts of doctors, three Indian para-military soldiers succumbed to their injuries this morning. The condition of another injured soldier has been termed as "life threatening" by the doctors attending on him.

With the killing of three more para-military soldiers, the death toll in the blast has risen to five.

The frontline militant group, Hizbul Mujahideen has claimed the responsibility of the attack. Its spokesperson claimed that the militants blasted off the vehicle of para-military soldiers, damaging it completely and killing or injuring all the soldiers aboard.

This was one of the deadliest explosions caused by the militants in the restive Kashmir Valley in the recent past.

The Indian para-military and police have launched a joint investigation into the militant attack.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.