Jammu: At least five devotees were killed and 17 wounded in twin powerful explosions triggered on July 21 night by suspected militants at Banganga, two kilometres from Katra on way to Vaishno Devi shrine, police sources said.

They said the two blasts took place in a span of 10 minutes at a community kitchen (langar), where devotees are served food on their trek up the mountain path to the Vaishno Devi temple.

Since a large number of devotees on their way to and return from the temple take food at the community kitchen, officials fear the casualty figure may go up.

Security in the area was tightened recently following intelligence reports that militants are lurking nearby to strike at the pilgrims for both Vaishno Devi shrine and Amarnath cave.

A team of Union Home Ministry officials had visited Katra in June and recommended strengthening of the security apparatus in the area.

Minister of State for Home Chinmayanand said the blasts were triggered to derail the peace initiatives taken by India with Pakistan and to arouse communal passions.

Chinmayanand said he would visit the site of the blasts on July 22.

PTI