Hand Grenade kills 2 in Doda

At least two persons were killed and 23 were wounded in a powerful hand-grenade detonation carried out by militants in Doda town in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday morning. "Two persons died on the spot and 23 others were airlifted to local district hospital," Dr S P Vaid, inspector general of police said.

Out of 23 wounded persons, condition of 8 was very critical, a police officer said.

The intended target of the militants was a political rally organised by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party against the attacks which took place in the region earlier this month.

The hand-grenade exploded near the main bus station in the town of Doda, 170 km northeast of Jammu, Kashmir's winter capital.

According to police Islamic rebels fighting Indian rule in Kashmir are believed to be responsible for the blast but no militant group has taken responsibility for the blast.

Meanwhile the place where blast took place has been surrounded by police and security forces to take stock of the situation.