#news Explosion rocks Russia's North Caucasus

2010-11-26 06:43:44

MOSCOW, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- A major blast rocked through the city center of Nalchik, the regional capital of Russia's North Caucasus republic of Kabardino-Balkaria late Thursday night, causing no casualties so far.

The explosion was reportedly targeted against a police car, news agencies reported.

The blast was heard at around 11:58 p.m. Moscow time (2058 GMT) Thursday, when a police car was passing by, the RIA Novosti news agency reported citing a police source.

No one was hurt in the blast, according to preliminary reports.

"The explosive device was probably planted under a manhole cover," said the source.

Meanwhile in another North Caucasus republic of Dagestan, a policeman was slightly wounded by a grenade thrown into his car at around 11:00 p.m. Moscow time (2000 GMT) Thursday in the Kayakent region of the republic.

Violence is common in Russia's mainly Muslim North Caucasus republics, especially Chechnya, Dagestan and Ingushetia, with militants frequently targeting police and officials as representatives of Russian authorities.

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