NOWSHERA, Dec 18: Three CD centres among nine shops were blown up by unknown miscreants here in the small hours of Thursday.

The incident was reported in the suburbs of Nowshera Cantonment. Police said that miscreants had planted three explosive devices at two opposite markets on Kaka Sahib road, near the Girls High School and union council office. Two of the devices went off with a bang at 3am, destroying six shops including three CDs centres completely while damaging three others partially.

Windowpanes of several nearby shops also smashed. The explosion was so powerful that its sound was heard far and wide in Nowshera.

Police reached the site and cordoned off the entire area. The bomb disposal squad was also called to defuse the unexploded device.

The police registered a case against unknown miscreants and started investigations.