Jammu, May 05: A homemade bomb planted by suspected militants exploded at a crowded bus station in Doda killing one person, wounding 33 out of whom the condition of five are stated to be serious. Attacks have been on the rise in Jammu and Kashmir since last month when Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee urged talks with Pakistan to resolve a 55-year dispute over the region, trigger of two of three wars between the neighbours. In an unusual move, Pakistan Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali has invited opposition leaders to discuss ties with India later on Monday, raising hopes the nuclear-armed rivals can resolve their differences.

Police said no rebel group had claimed responsibility for the blast in Doda, 175 km east of Jammu, winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir.

"One person was killed on the spot," a senior police official told media persons. "Four of the wounded are in critical condition." India accuses of Pakistan of arming and sending militants to fight New Delhi`s rule in Indian Kashmir. Pakistan denies the charge but says it offers political support to what it calls a legitimate freedom struggle by Kashmiris.

Bureau Report