At least 35 persons including four paramilitary central reserve police force (CRPF) troopers and two cops, were wounded in a powerful hand-grenade explosion in the main bus stand at Banihal town situated on the Jammu Srinagar [Images] highway. The rest are civilians.

Police said militants threw a grenade at a CRPF party Friday afternoon in the bus stand, which exploded injuring 25 persons.

"Among the injured are four CRPF troopers including an officer and 21 civilians," said a senior police officer.

The injured were rushed to the Banihal sub-district hospital and condition of four injured persons including two CRPF troopers is stated to be critical.

The explosion triggered panic in the town, with commuters waiting in the bus stand running for safety.

Traffic on the busy highway was disrupted.

Security forces have surrounded the bus stand area and searches are being conducted.

Amarnath Cave Shrine-bound pilgrims use the same highway to reach the base camps at Pahalgam and at Baltel.