Shoppers ran for lives after grenade explosion

Srinagar, Nov 3: A grenade attack Sunday afternoon at the Sunday Market near the Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) in Srinagar left at least 10 civilians injured, leading to panic and chaos in one of the most crowded areas of the city. The explosion occurred around noon with hundreds of shoppers were running for cover.

Normally full of locals, the market turned into a scene of panic as everyone ran for their lives.

Eyewitnesses said that the explosion broke the usual weekend buzz and created scenes of trauma as vendors ran away from their stalls and families tried to leave the area.

According to doctors, most patients have shrapnel injuries with all in stable condition in hospitals.

“One moment, I was bargaining with a vendor, and the next, there was a deafening blast. I felt something sharp hit my leg and collapsed. People were shouting and running, but I could not move. It all happened so quickly. I was scared thinking I might not make it,” said an injured hailing from Shopian, admitted at SMHS Hospital here.

“I was sitting near a stall to rest when I heard the blast. Suddenly, something hit my head, and blood started running down my arm. I couldn't understand what was happening,” said another injured from Budgam. “I have lived through difficult times here, but this felt like a nightmare. I only prayed for my life.”

Among the people present at the site were Mushtaq Ahmad, who resides in Batamaloo and had gone to the market with his family.

“It was like any other Sunday. We were looking at winter clothes when suddenly a loud bang shook everything. People were screaming and running everywhere,” he said. “I grabbed my children and just ran without looking back. It was the scariest moment of my life.”

Farzana Bano, a customer at a nearby stall, said she was shocked and confused.

“I was buying some clothes when I heard a blast. For a moment, I was frozen. Everyone started pushing and running. It felt like a nightmare that wouldn't end. I couldn't believe something like this could happen on such a busy day,” she said.

“I thought we had moved beyond these kinds of attacks. It’s heartbreaking and frightening,” said Zahoor Ahmad Khan, who had come from Budgam for shopping. “All I could think about was my children, who were with me. Luckily, we escaped.”

Ali Muhammad Dar, a vendor selling goods at the market each Sunday for years, said: “Today’s blast made me question my safety too. People need to feel safe to come and shop. If these blasts go on, we will lose our living and peace of our city. We want peace, nothing else. Incidents like these take us back to darker days, and we just want to move forward and live without fear. I hope those responsible are found quickly.”