A powerful hand grenade explosion Thursday afternoon killed two civilians and left nine others including two paramilitary Border

Security Force troopers wounded at Chadoora town 15 kms from in central Budgam district.

Police said militants lobbed a powerful hand grenade at a BSF picket guarding a bridge over a stream in Chadoora town injuring eleven persons including three BSF troopers and eight civilians.

A senior police officer said two of the critically injured persons succumbed to their injuries while being shifted to SMHS hospital in Srinagar [Images] city.

The explosion led to closure of traffic in Chadoora town and people running in panic for cover.

Security forces surrounded the area and mounted searches. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the explosion.