SFOR REPORTS A NUMBER OF OVERNIGHT EXPLOSIONS IN MOSTAR

SARAJEVO, Feb 15 (Hina) - The NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) on Saturday reported a number of overnight explosions in the southern Bosnian town of Mostar. There were six explosions of hand grenades in Croat-controlled west Mostar, of which two were recorded at 22.00 hours on Friday and four one hour after midnight, SFOR spokesman Andrew Saddleton told a news conference in Sarajevo. The blasts caused no casualties or property damage. SFOR troops, in cooperation with the International Police Task Force, assisted the return of ten Moslem families to the west side of town on Friday. Saddleton went on to say that SFOR continued to maintain an increased presence in Mostar, including searches for unauthorized weapons. NATO soldiers seized a pistol from a civilian on Friday. Elsewhere in Bosnia-Herzegovina, SFOR troops continued enforcing measures aimed at securing full freedom of movement. An illegal checkpoint was removed near the central town of Novi Travnik on Friday. Saddleton stressed that the ban on military exercises would remain in force until further notice. (hina) vm 151427 MET feb 97