Srinagar, Mar 16 (UNI) At least one person was killed and ten others wounded and about a dozen shops damaged in a powerful blast near a crowded bus stand in north Kashmir district of Baramulla this afternoon, official sources said.

Elsewhere in Jammu and Kashmir, Congress leader survived attempt on his life while his Special Police Officer (SPO) was injured.

Official sources said a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded near the bus stand killing one Ghulam Nabi Bhat son of Abdul Ahad Bhat, a resident of Sopore, on the spot.

Ten others wounded were admitted to nearby District hospital.

However, three critically injured were referred to Srinagar hospital, sources added.

A UNI correspondent who visited the spot saw more than a dozen shops besides office of Peoples Conference (PC) were damaged.

A bus parked in the area was also totally damaged in the blast, sound of which was heard across the town.

This is the first blast after Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) replaced ten battalions of the Border Security Force (BSF) in North and South Kashmir areas yesterday.

Senior police and civil officials also rushed to the spot.

No militant outfit has so far claimed responsibility for the blast.

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