A massive car bomb blast took place at Nowgam bypass in Srinagar near the private residence of outgoing Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

The blast comes hours before the swearing in of Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad as chief minister.

Atleast six people were killed in the blast, which took place about 15-km from the venue of the swearing in ceremony.

"Since last evening, we had information that militants were trying to bring in IED fitted cars to Srinagar. For that purpose we had established special check posts at several places," said Munir Khan, SSP, Srinagar.

"Today a car from Pampore was seen heading towards Nowgam in the outskirts of the city. The car was stopped at the checkpost," he added.

"On being stopped by constable Nissar Khan, the car tried to speed away. When the constable challenged the car, the militant inside the car detonated the vehicle," said Khan.

Jaish-e-Mohammad behind blast

Militant outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad has reportedly claimed responsibility for the blast.

A caller, identifying himself as a spokesperson of Jaish-e-Mohammad, told a local news agency that its member Mohammad Mubashir was on a "mission" with the explosives-laden car but had to blast it prematurely after he was intercepted by security forces.

Mubashir was a resident of Abbaspora village in Rawalakot area of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.

Sayeed's private residence had earlier been attacked by militants with rifle grenades when he took oath of office in 2002.

Making way for Cong

The Congress meanwhile, returns to power in J&K after 30 years of leading a coalition government with the PDP.

Sayeed resigned on Saturday at the end of his three-year term to make way for a Congress chief minister as per the power sharing agreement between the two parties.

Ghulam Nabi Azad is likely to keep a small and compact ministry. Sources said that five ministers are likely to be sworn in today.

Muzzaffar Hussain Baig, who has been elected PDP legislature party leader, is expected to take charge as deputy chief minister of the state.

Road ahead

But the road ahead for Azad already shows signs of being a rocky one with the Panther's Party setting out its terms in return for supporting the coalition government.

The four MLAs of the Panthers Party have threatened to quit the coalition if the government does not implement the reports of the Wazir Commission and the Delimitation Commission.

These give more seats to the Jammu province in the state assembly and carve out more districts for Jammu region. The Panthers Party had two ministers in the previous PDP led government.

"I have these conditions, the Wazir Commission, the Delimitation Commission must be implemented. If they fulfill them, then we will feel that they have extended a hand of friendship. Otherwise we will reconsider our decision," said Bhim Singh, Panther's Party Chief.

Cabinet size

Azad's most crucial ally, the PDP, is already uncomfortable with his announcement that he will reduce the size of the cabinet from 39 in Mufti Sayeed's government to 25.

"When the size is reduced, problems are bound to be there. Some who are ministers will be dropped. There will be problems but it won't create much of an impact," said Tirlok Singh Bajwa senior leader PDP.

While the task before Ghulam Nabi Azad will be to fulfill the aspirations of the people of all the three different regions of the state, the challenge before him will also be to keep the coalition together - something that Mufti Mohamamd Sayeed has successfully done in the past. (With PTI inputs)