Srinagar: A woman, who was injured in a grenade attack at a popular flea market here earlier this month, succumbed to injuries on Tuesday, officials said.
The grenade attack on November 3 at the ‘Sunday market’ near the Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) here had left 12 persons injured.
The 45-year-old woman succumbed to injuries at the SMHS hospital this morning. She was identified as Abida, a resident of Naidkhai area of Bandipora district in north Kashmir.
Police have arrested three terror associates of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit, who were involved in the grenade attack.
Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone, V K Birdi last Friday said the Srinagar Police solved the attack case with the arrest of three terror associates.
“The arrested persons have been identified as Usama Yasin Sheikh, Umar Fayaz Sheikh and Afnan Mansoor Sheikh. All three belong to the Ikhrajpora area of the city,” Birdi told reporters.
He said the terror associates carried out the attack at the instance of Pakistani handlers with the aim of disturbing peace and tranquillity.
“A case under UAPA [Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act] has been registered against the trio,” he added.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference president, Dr Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister condoled the death expressing solidarity with the bereaved family.
Jammu & Kashmir Peoples’ Conference (JKPC) president Sajad Gani Lone also expressed shock over the death of Abida.
“My condolences to the family of Abida Sumaiya, who passed away after sustaining injuries in the TRC grenade attack. My thoughts with the family who have to bear this irreparable loss. A mother of three children. May Allah grant them the courage to bear this loss. May Allah grant her Jannat,” Lone in a message on X said.
Jammu & Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) president Mohammad Altaf Bukhari also expressed grief over the death.
In a statement, Bukhari said, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic death of this woman, who was a mother of three young children. She was receiving treatment in the hospital and was on a ventilator”.
“May Almighty Allah grant her the highest place in Jannah and give her bereaved family, especially the children, the strength to bear the pain of this irreparable loss,” he said.
Young mother leaves behind three little kids as Bandipora village mourns her death
As soon as the ambulance carrying the body of Abida Kounsar, a 45-year-old victim of November 3 Srinagar grenade explosion, reached Naidkhai, Sumbal in northern district of Bandipora, the air filled with shrieks and cries. “Don’t cry, she is a martyr. The splinter of Grenade hit her forehead and pierced through her brain. Today she died a martyr’s death,” yelled Abida’s brother Waseem Raja.
Abid was injured on November 3 at TRC (Sunday Market) grenade explosion along with 11 others. She, however, had received serious wounds in her forehead and was treated at SMHS hospital Srinagar where she breathed her lost today (Tuesday).
A pall of gloom descended on the entire Naidkhai area as soon as the body of Abida was taken out of the ambulance. While mourning the death of mother of three siblings, villagers expressed their sorrow and fear, saying, “There is no safety for Kashmiris. Our neighbour Abida only went to Srinagar for shopping, but death snatched her from us,” they said.
Aamina Begum, another local, expressed her concern, saying, “Who will take care of her children now? What have those responsible for this achieved?”.
“Kashmir is mourning every day. Every family here is grief-stricken,” she said.
Waseem Raja, the brother of Abida Kounsar expressed concerns about the safety in Kashmir, questioning why such attacks continue despite heavy security measures.
He urged the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, to ensure formal rehabilitation for the children and take action to prevent further violence.
The lady left behind three minor children, including two sons, Mohammad Hafi and Zuhair Zubair, and a daughter, Aubihiyah Zubair.
Zuhair, the ten-year-old elder son, said that his beloved mother was killed for no reason. “Our Mumma is no more with us,” he said. “She wanted to buy me a winter jacket and other winter stuff for my brother and sister.”
Meanwhile, the deceased was laid to rest in Sumbal, where her natal family resides. Hundreds of people attended her last rites, with women wailing in grief, their sobs and tears filling the air as they mourned the loss. (WITH KNO INPUTS)
