Blast shakes Indian Kashmir capital Srinagar

A large explosion occurred late Saturday near the main jail in Indian Kashmir's summer capital Srinagar but it was not known if there were any casualties, police said.

"There was a powerful blast near the central jail in Srinagar but we do not know yet if there are any casualties," a police spokesman told AFP, asking not to be identified.

Militants have launched series of attacks in the restive region since the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan began on August 13.

In the past, Ramadan in Kashmir has been marked by increased violence as some Muslim militants believe those who die fighting during the holy month gain more heavenly rewards.

But this year no rebel group has issued any specific Ramadan threats in Kashmir where militants have been waging an insurgency against Indian rule for the past two decades.

The insurgency against Indian rule in the Muslim-majority region has left more than 47,000 people dead since it began in 1989, according to official figures.