Student injured in Srinagar grenade explosion dies

Rafia Nazir had suffered multiple injuries in the blast at Amira Kadal, which had left at least 23 civilians wounded.

A student who suffered injuries in the grenade explosion at Amira Kadal on March 6 succumbed to her injuries at a government hospital here on March 7 morning, leaving the family shattered and drawing condemnation from the political parties in Jammu and Kashmir.  

Rafia Nazir, daughter of Nazir Ahmad Tinda from Srinagar’s Hazratbal area, succumbed to her injuries around 8 a.m., officials at the Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital said. She had suffered multiple injuries in the blast, which had left at least 23 civilians wounded. 

Ms. Nazir’s death took the toll to two in the blast. Earlier, a resident of Nowhatta was killed in the blast on March 6 afternoon.   

The victim had passed her 12 Class examinations recently and aimed “to prepare for professional courses”, her family members said. “She scored good marks and made us feel proud. The family’s dreams have been dashed now,” the family members said. 

Amid emotional scenes, scores of women assembled at the victim’s house and sang dirges, in a wedding tone. “She was too young and deserved ‘henna’ [red-dye] on her hands as a bride, and not blood,” the women said. 

Senior police officers have said they have laid hands on “crucial clues” and “will smash the grenade throwers’ module soon”. 

The civilian deaths have evoked condemnation from the political parties as well as locals in Kashmir.