Srinagar: At least two persons including an Army jawan were killed and 12 others injured in a suicide car bombing by militants on Srinagar-Baramulla National Highway today (Oct 9, 2004), Defence sources said in Srinagar.

An explosive-laden car coming from Baramulla side rammed into an Army convoy at Singhpora-Pattan, 30 kms from Srinagar, blowing up a civilian bus hired by Army to ferry troops.

The driver of the bus was killed on the spot while at least 13 other persons including 11 jawans were injured, the sources said.

One of the jawans later succumbed to injuries in the hospital where condition of some of the wounded was stated to be critical, the sources said.

The fate of the driver of the explosive-laden car was not known yet, they said.

Pakistan-backed Jaish-e-Mohammad militant outfit claimed responsibility for the blast.

Senior police and other security agency officials rushed to the spot and have begin investigations into the incident, which is first of its kind in recent years.

The deceased Army personnel have been identified as Captain Lal Singh and driver Joginder Singh.

Unconfirmed reports put the injury toll at 28 but the Defence spokesman denied the same.