Two soldiers and a civilian injured in Kashmir car blast

Srinagar, Mar 18 (UNI) Two soldiers and a civilian were injured critically when militants detonated a car blast on Srinagar- Baramulla bypass today, a senior police officer said.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) K Rajinder Kumar told UNI that militants had parked explosive laden white maruti car at Rawalpora bypass.

He said the explosive device was detonated as soon as a security force vehicles carrying soldiers reached the spot at about 0920 hrs.

Two soldiers and a civilian were injured in the blast, Mr Kumar said. The injured have been admitted to hospital where the condition of one of the soldiers is stated to be critical.

He said senior security force and police officials have rushed to the spot.

An eyewitness-Abdul Rashid, told reporters it was a close call for the soldiers travelling in the bus which was actually targetted by the militants.

The blast occurred after the bus passed the area, he said adding had the device explodeds econds before it would have been a disaster.

The blast was so powerful that its sound was heard in the entire area. Traffic was also suspended for about half an hour.

It is believed that a stolen car was used in the blast.

This was the second car blast in the Kashmir vally this year.

However, 2005 witnessed more than a dozen car blasts claiming about 20 lives, including half a dozen security personnel.

UNI BAS MYK AK RK1130