Blast kills Three in India
( 2003-08-14 12:35) (Agencies)
At least three people were killed when a bomb
ripped through a bus in northeastern India on Thursday, reports said, as the
nation tightened security on the eve of its annual Independence Day
celebrations.
Officials blamed the attack in the troubled state of Manipur on rebels trying
to enforce a boycott of Friday's celebrations, the Press Trust of India (PTI)
reported, adding at least 14 people were injured. One television station put the
death toll at five.
Officials said a remote-controlled bomb was detonated as the bus, carrying
mainly traders, passed over a bridge about 5:00 a.m. (2330 GMT), near the state
capital, Imphal, PTI said.
No further details were available. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers, police
and commandos are on high alert throughout India for Independence Day amid fears
of militant strikes.
Separatists in Kashmir and rebels in the northeast have
in the past launched attacks to try to disrupt celebrations or scare people
away.
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