Low-Intensity Blast Sparks Panic in Doda; Two Detained for Questioning
JAMMU, Sept 11: A low-intensity explosion created panic in Doda town on Wednesday morning when a crude device went off in the lawn of a residential house at Thukar Mohalla. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, though the blast left splinter marks on the entrance of the house and sent shockwaves through the otherwise quiet neighborhood.
The house where the explosion occurred belongs to Abdul Ahad. According to officials, the blast was heard between 10:30 am and 11 am, prompting immediate deployment of police teams to the site. The area was quickly cordoned off, and forensic experts were called in to examine the remnants of the device. Samples collected from the scene have been sent for detailed analysis.
Confirming the incident, DIG Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban range Sridhar Patil told reporters that two persons—identified as Javed Ahmed and Khurshid Ahmed—have been detained for questioning. “Their interrogation is ongoing. The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) has collected samples to determine the nature of the explosive,” Patil said.
Preliminary investigations suggest the use of crude explosives, though officials have refrained from making any definitive statements until the FSL report is finalized. Sources indicated that the two detained men were present near the house at the time of the blast, leading to their detention.
The incident has unsettled residents of Doda, who recall earlier tragedies in the district. On January 8, 2010, a blast in the house of Mohammad Iqbal in Seri, Bhaderwah left six people injured, including four women. Even more deadly was the May 5, 2003 explosion at the Doda bus stand, where one person was killed and 17 others were injured in a powerful blast.
While Wednesday’s incident was of a far lesser intensity, it has nonetheless reignited concerns about security and the possibility of residual militant activity in the region. Police have stepped up vigilance in Doda and surrounding areas, assuring the public that all angles will be probed and those responsible brought to justice.
For now, investigators are piecing together the evidence to determine whether the blast was an act of mischief, a targeted attempt, or a remnant of local disputes. Officials have urged people to remain calm and cooperate with authorities while investigations continue.
