A strong blast on a busy bridge injured at least 11 people on Wednesday in Srinager, the capital of Indian- administered Kashmir, according to dpa. The explosion took place near the building complex of the state administration, damaging the bridge and four cars, while also shattering window panes of nearby buildings, said senior state police officer SS Mujtaba. No deaths were reported in the blast, the first in the area after several months. Unconfirmed reports said a militant group claimed responsibility for the blast. Though skirmishes are frequently reported in towns bordering India and Pakistan, militant activity has decreased in Jammu and Kashmir in recent months. Kashmir, a disputed region between India and neighbouring Pakistan, has witnessed the deaths of more than 40,000 people - civilians, militants and security forces - in secessionist violence since 1990. New Delhi has accused Islamabad of aiding and abetting Kashmiri militants, a charge Pakistan denies. Islamabad said it supports the Kashmiris' legitimate aspirations for freedom.
