20 July, 1995, was the day when a powerful bomb explosion in the Purani Mandi area of Jammu City killed 17 people and left more then 45 seriously wounded.

 

The explosion rocked the city as it was exploded in one of the busiest markets of the old city area. It was so powerful that it could be felt miles away. Authorities said that an autorickshaw filled with explosives drove into the market area and detonated in the crowded area to maximize the casualties. However, it was a suicidal attack so fate of the driver couldn't be known. Some injured succumbed to their injuries in the hospital.

 

 

Later a Pakistan based terror group Harkat-Ul-Ansar had taken the responsibility of the terrorist attack.

After the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Kashmir valley in 1990's, Pakistan based terror groups had started to terrorise Jammu region with explosions and killings. They wanted Hindus of Jammu to leave Jammu as Kashmiri Hindu Pandits did in Kashmir to internationalise the Kashmir issue.

 

 

Pertinent to mention here that in the same year on 26 January, when the then Governor of J&K, K.V. Krishna Rao was taking part in the Republic day celebrations at M.A Stadium in Jammu, three back to back bomb explosions had rocked the stadium. Though Governor escaped unhurt but eight of his officers got killed while causing grievous injuries to more than 30.

 

 

Explosions were aimed to kill the Governor during his address to the huge gathering of 40,000 people, including VIP dignitaries, political leaders etc. Blasts had occurred near the dias and another on the road outside.

Later Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Ghulam Nabi, a resident of Sialkot, Pakistani was found the main brain behind the attack in the stadium and he was awarded rigorous life sentence in this case by the Apex Court of India.