Srinagar car bombing kills three, 44 injured

Three people were killed and 44 injured, 16 critically, when a car bomb detonated in Srinagar near the passing motorcade of Usman Majeed, a former deputy minister for planning, authorities said. The explosion occurred about 10:35 a.m. (5:05 a.m. GMT). Eyewitnesses said the blast shook the area and shattered windows of the bank and adjoining buildings. The bank is in the Dal Gate area of Srinagar.

Police and paramilitary forces cordoned off the entire area. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast.On Tuesday militants attacked a police compound, killing four people and injuring more than 20. The rebels later holed up in a hotel for 24 hours before one was captured and the other killed by security forces.

India and Pakistan have opened crossing points along the Line of Control that divides the disputed territory of Kashmir as a "humanitarian measure" to foster relief efforts following last month's devastating earthquake in the region.Islamic militant groups have been fighting for Kashmir's independence or merger with Pakistan since 1989. The violence has left more than 60,000 people dead, CNN reports. I.L.