What Caused the Explosion in an Old Mosque During Demolition in J&K’s Kupwara?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The explosion occurred during mosque demolition in Kupwara.
- Three people were injured and received medical attention.
- Police have initiated an investigation into the incident.
- The area has faced increased tensions due to border shelling.
- Government forces have been active in responding to threats in the region.
Srinagar. June 16 (NationPress) On Monday, an unexpected explosion resulted in injuries to three individuals during the demolition of a mosque in the Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir.
According to officials, the explosion transpired while the demolition of an aged mosque structure was underway in the Langate Handwara area.
“The blast occurred as local residents were engaged in reconstructing the mosque. Suddenly, a loud noise erupted, injuring three individuals on the spot. The injured were promptly transported to the sub-district hospital in Langate, with one requiring more specialized care at the government medical college in Handwara,” officials reported.
The police have filed a First Information Report (FIR) regarding the incident, and an investigation is currently underway, as stated by the officials.
It is noteworthy that border regions like Langate have faced significant mortar shelling from Pakistan following targeted strikes by the Indian Armed Forces on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
In retaliation, Pakistan has subjected civilian facilities in Poonch, Rajouri, Baramulla, Kupwara, and Bandipora districts to heavy shelling. Security forces successfully defused several unexploded shells fired from Pakistan before allowing civilians to return to their homes in the border areas.
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi granted the Armed Forces a free hand to respond to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians at the hands of Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists, strikes were executed in nine locations, including Muridke near Lahore, Bahawalpur, and both Kotli and Muzaffarabad in PoK.
The shelling from Pakistan led to the deaths of eighteen individuals, with thirteen casualties occurring in just Poonch district. Numerous homes, shops, a mosque, a church, and a Gurudwara were destroyed due to the shelling in Poonch.