Monday, August 15 2005 10:58 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: Hours before the tricolour was to be unfurled at the high security Bakshi stadium in Srinagar today (Aug 15, 2005), an improvised explosive device went off outside the venue without causing any casualty, a senior police official said.

An IED planted in Iqbal Park, adjacent to Bakshi stadium, exploded while security forces were conducting a routine surveillance of the area this morning.

However, there was no damage caused by the explosion, DIG (Central Kashmir) H K Lohia told sources in Srinagar.

Another round of similar patrolling will be carried out shortly before the commencement of the Independence Day function at 10 am.

The area had been sealed off for the past five days.

Another IED blast took place near a stadium at Pattan in Baramulla district without causing any harm, official sources said.

They said an IED planted by militants near the stadium in Pattan, where Independence Day parade was scheduled for 10.00 AM, went off at 9.00 AM but did not cause any damage as nobody was present near the site.

Meanwhile, Al Mansoorian and Hizbul Mujahideen militant groups separately claimed responsibility for the blast near Bakshi stadium.

A caller, identifying himself as a spokesman of Al Mansoorian group, told sources that the outfit had "sent out cadres to disrupt the Independence Day celebrations."

Hizbul Mujahideen, in a separate claim to a local news agency, owned responsibility for the blast.

Although the two outfits claimed responsibility for the blast, police said the explosion took place after an anti-sabotage vehicle of security forces initiated the device as a pre-emptive measure.