Jammu: One person was killed and several others were injured in a blast that occurred outside a district court complex in Udhampur town of Jammu region.
According to news agency ANI, a doctor informed that a total of 15 people were injured out of which one succumbed to injuries. The injured included a woman, an eight-month-old infant, and a Rajasthan resident.
Injured have been hospitalised and the intensity of the blast is to be revealed in further probe, Vinod Kumar, SSP Udhampur, Jammu & Kashmir told reporters.
"Blast explosion around “Rehri” near Tehsildar office at Udhampur. One life lost, 13 injured being moved to hospital. I am in touch with D.C Smt Indu Chib on minute to minute basis. Exact cause and origin of the blast being worked out..too early to draw any definite conclusion," Union Minister Jitendra Singh tweeted.
Police have also informed that the blast took place near Slathia Chowk in Udhampur. The blast took place at around 1 pm where street vendors were selling vegetables and fruits.
Eyewitnesses told news agency PTI that the blast was so powerful that some iron grills nearby were damaged in its impact. It triggered panic in the area.
"It is a blast. As of now, it seems not connected with terror. Investigation is on," she said.
Top police officials, including ADGP Mukesh Singh, were at the spot to investigate the matter. The investigators are looking into if any chemical explosive was used in the blast near the district court complex.
A team of the State Investigation Agency (SIA), led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Satesh Bhardwaj, reached the blast site and was analysing details, a senior official said.
(With inputs from agencies.)