A massive truck bomb explosion near a government-run high school building in the town of Pulwama in southern Kashmir claimed 12 lives, and left another 100 wounded on Monday.

The huge blast, which occurred at around 12:00 PM (local time), destroyed several shops and parked vehicles, besides causing some damage to nearby buildings.

The explosion took place just 40-kilometres from Srinagar, the capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
 
According to a TV report, the blast was aimed at a Central Reserve Police Force camp, which is adjacent to the school building.

While no group has claimed the responsibility for the blast so far, security forces do not rule out the involvement of the militant groups opposed to the peace process in Kashmir.

"The injured were taken to the local sub-district hospital for treatment. Twenty of the seriously injured have been referred to Srinagar for specialized treatment," police officials in Srinagar said.

According to an eye-witness, following the incident, the security forces cordoned of the entire area and ambulances fitted with sirens were seen ferrying injured to hospital.

It was the worst incident of separatist violence in Kashmir since moderate separatist politicians began a historic trip to Pakistan on June 4 for talks on the disputed Himalayan region between India and Pakistan.

"After a loud explosion I fell down and could only hear people screaming for help. After a while I saw my both legs were bleeding," one of the victims, Mohammad Shafi, said.

Police fired in the air and used tear gas to disperse hundreds of people protesting against the blast, blaming it on the government. Three protesters were wounded, witnesses said.
 
(China Daily June 14, 2005)