JAMMU, July 26 (1995): A bomb exploded on a scooter in the winter capital of the rebellious Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, killing a Hindu holy man and injuring 27 people, three of them seriously, police said.

Witnesses said many of the injured were Hindu holy men gathering in Jammu for a pilgrimage to Amarnath cave in the Kashmir mountains. No one claimed responsibility for the explosion.

Eight more people, including five policemen, were hurt after the blast when an angry mob clashed with security forces who fired tear gas.

It was the second explosion in Jammu in a week. A bomb planted under a shop selling snacks exploded on July 20, killing 17 people and wounding 46.

Police blamed that blast on separatist militants waging a five-year insurgency against the Indian government. More than 20,000 people have been killed in the fighting, according to police and hospital officials.
(For details write to admin@freepresskashmir.com)