Landmine in Kashmir market kills at least 11, injures 35

A landmine exploded in a vegetable market in Kashmir, India, killing at least 11 and injuring 35 in this restive northern region of Kashmir.

A landmine exploded in a vegetable market in Kashmir, India, killing at least 11 and injuring 35 in this restive northern region of Kashmir.

The explosion occurred at 0430 GMT across from a bus terminal as people were heading to work or doing business at the market.

Security forces, fighting a 10-year-old insurgency against Islamic militants who want Kashmir to be separated from India, frequent the market because prices are cheap.

Police sources said at least two of the dead and some of the injured were members of the Special Security Branch paramilitary force, based at a nearby army camp.

Nine people were killed at the scene and two died in the hospital. Many of the injured were in critical condition.

The explosion caused panic around the city, and within minutes of the blast, the market area was deserted with produce carts left overturned and fruits and vegetables scattered.

The market had been operating for about a month. Vendors had moved there after being banned from the Iqban area near a stadium in central Srinagar, because of frequent outbreaks of shooting between security forces and militants.

There was no claim of responsibility for the blast.