A powerful blast and complete shutdown in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) overshadowed the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The complete strike was called as a mark of protest against India’s illegal hold on the territory.

The explosion occurred 12 kilometers away from the rally venue of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Jammu district’s Laliana village.

The Indian police reached the spot and initiated an investigation into the nature of the blast. “It doesn’t seem to be terror-related. Details are being ascertained,” the police said.

Call for the strike has been given by the All Parties Hurriyat Conference to convey a strong message to the Indian prime minister that the Kashmiris reject India’s illegal occupation of their homeland and they will continue their struggle till they achieve their inalienable right to self-determination.

On the APHC appeal, anti-India demonstrations will be held in Azad Kashmir and in world major capitals by the Kashmiri diaspora against the Indian crimes in Kashmir.

Meanwhile, the occupation authorities have deployed Indian troops and police personnel in strength across the occupied territory, particularly in Jammu region, in the name of so-called security measures ahead of Narendra Modi’s visit.

The Indian forces’ personnel conducted random checking of vehicles and frisking of passengers on the check-points which had mushroomed on the roads of all major cities and towns as well as the Srinagar-Jammu highway. The police and troops used CCTV cameras to keep a watch on the movement of people.

Sharpshooters have been deployed at high-rise buildings while drone cameras and sniffer dogs have been pressed into service. Indian police have seized scores of bikes from different areas of Srinagar.