SRINAGAR, India, Dec 24 (AFP) - One person died and 23 others, mostly civilians, were wounded when a grenade aimed at soldiers missed its target and exploded in a busy market in southern Indian-administered Kashmir Friday, police said.
The attack initially wounded 24 people but one of the injured died later in hospital, a police spokesman said.
"Two of the injured are policemen, while others are all civilians," he said.
Most of the victims were worshippers coming out of a mosque after Friday prayers, police and witnesses said.
The explosion sparked panic in the area and sent people rushing for cover.
Indian troops and police sealed off the area and began a search operation.
The explosion happened in Pakherpora township, 50 kilometers (31 miles) southwest of the summer capital Srinagar, police said.
Separately, Indian troops shot dead four Islamic militants in two separate clashes overnight Thursday and Friday, a police spokesman said.
"Both the encounters erupted after troops launched a cordon and search operation for the militants," he said.
On Wednesday evening another grenade attack killed a civilian and wounded 15 others in the Sangam area of southern Anantnag district.
Violence has continued in Kashmir despite nascent peace moves by India and Pakistan, who hold the region in part and claim it in full.
Thousands of people have died in Kashmir since the eruption of an insurgency against Indian rule in 1989.
12/24/2004 11:33 GMT - AFP