NATO-LED PEACE FORCE REPORTS TWO EXPLOSIONS IN MOSTAR

MOSTAR, Feb 16 (Hina) - The NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) on Sunday reported two explosions in the southern Bosnian town of Mostar. The first blast was registered in central Mostar at 20.40 hours on Saturday while the second occurred in the Moslem-held eastern part of town at 21.14 hours. It was not immediately clear from which direction the explosive devices had been thrown. SFOR officials in Mostar said that the investigation into a mortar shell that had fell between the Hotel Ero and the Carinski Bridge two nights ago, was continuing. On Saturday, international police confirmed two explosions of mortar bombs in east Mostar. SFOR troops continued increased patrols in the town centre and searches for illegal weapons. In the last four days they have seized two hand grenades, a pistol, a rocket launcher and a certain amount of ammunition. Under SFOR and international police escort, 14 Moslem families have returned to their homes in Croat-held west Mostar from which they were expelled after the eruption of violence on February 10. (hina) vm 161234 MET feb 97