Separatist rebels in Indian-controlled Kashmir opened fire today on a military convoy near the funeral of an Indian state minister.
Witnesses said several soldiers were wounded in the firing and explosions that lasted nearly half an hour and panicked 2,000 mourners at the funeral of Mr Mushtaq Ahmed Lone.
Mr Lone's killing yesterday was the latest political assassination as the disputed territory prepares for the first round of voting in controversial local elections which will be held on Monday.
Separatist groups that are fighting against Indian rule in Kashmir are boycotting the elections.
The chief minister blamed the violence on Pakistan and accused it of seeking to derail the elections.
Witnesses said the attack on the convoy took place less than a kilometre from the heavily guarded funeral, which continued peacefully after the firing stopped.
Earlier, India's defence minister George Fernandes met Kashmir army, police and paramilitary chiefs for talks on the security situation in the troubled mountain state.
Afterwards, he said security forces were "ready to meet any challenge". He also accused Pakistan of trying to disrupt the elections.