NOWSHERA, Jan 9: Three minor explosions rattled a Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) rally here on Tuesday, triggering a stampede. Ten people were injured, according to eyewitnesses.

The JI chief Qazi Hussain Ahmad was addressing the rally which was organised in protest against the Bajaur Agency's by-elections at the Shobra Chowk when the blasts took place in quick succession.

The people present at the site claimed that three people were injured in the first blast and seven in the stampede. An aged man, Mohammad Yousaf, was shifted to a hospital with severe burn wounds.

Gas leaking from the manhole caused the explosions, said police while ruling out any terrorist activity. However, the JI has put the blame on the government and intelligent agencies.

The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal President, Qazi Hussain Ahmad, in a press conference condemned the blasts by putting the blame on intelligence agencies. He reiterated his resolve that nothing could stop him and his party from holding peaceful rallies against the government.

Earlier, speaking at the protest rally he stated that the people of Bajaur would reject the by-elections and his party will not recognise its results.