Baramulla, 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 near here this afternoon, official sources said.

However, unconfirmed reports said one of the injured person died on way to hospital.

Official sources said a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded near the bus stand killing one 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 Peopls 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 batallions of the Border Security Force (BSF) in North and South Kashmir areas yesterday.

Senior police and civil officials have rushed to the spot.

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

UNI