Two women killed in blast on a tourist bus in Kashmir's Anantnag district

Anantnag: Two women died and six others were injured in a blast in a tourist bus in Anantnag district of South Kashmir today. Police said the bus was carrying tourists from Mumbai. 

The attack comes on a day when Defence Minister AK Antony is in the Kashmir valley to review the security situation there. 

During his two-day visit to the state beginning today he is expected to interact with troops deployed in the forward locations.


This is Mr Antony's first visit to the state in the last 18 months. He will also interact with the state Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The Defence Minister is also expected to discuss the issue of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the state with top commanders.

Normal life in the valley has also been affected today due to a strike called by hardline Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani to protest the killing of a youth in army firing on Tuesday.

Mr Geelani had called for a strike to protest the killing of Hilal Ahmad Dar in Army firing at Ashtengoo Naar in Bandipora district on Tuesday night.

While the Army maintained that the victim was killed following an exchange of firing with militants, the family of the deceased claimed that he was taken into custody and later shot dead