One militant was killed and seven others wounded in a south Kashmir grenade explosion on Sunday afternoon, police said.

Police said Tawqeed Ahmad who was attempting to throw a grenade near the court complex in Anantnag town on Sunday afternoon died when the grenade exploded in his hand.

"The grenade thrower died on the spot. Seven passers-by were also wounded in the blast. They were taken to the local hospital for treatment," Hemant Lohia, deputy inspector general of police south Kashmir range, told rediff.com.

The area was surrounded and searched by security forces.

No militant group has yet claimed responsibility for the blast.