New Delhi: The death toll from the blast at a house in Dangri village of Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district has risen to two. While one four-year-old child was reported dead soon after the blast, his 16-year-old cousin too succumbed to her injuries. The victims are Vihan Kumar Sharma (4) and Samiksha Sharma (16), Indian Express reported.
The blast at their house took place a day after militants attacked three houses in the village with guns. The two young victims were the niece and nephew of Deepak Sharma, who had been killed in the firing.
Police suspect that militants left an IED at the house during their attack on Sunday, and it exploded on Monday (January 2).
“The IED was planted beneath a bag,” said Additional Director General of Police (Jammu) Mukesh Singh, according to the Indian Express. He also said that another IED had been found and diffused.
Massive protests were held in Rajouri against the killings on Sunday and Monday, with people holding the administration responsible for failing to ensure security. The LG met the victims’ families as well as local leaders to express his condolences.
Dangri village has about 1,000 households, mostly Hindus.