At least three people were killed when a bomb ripped through a bus in northeastern India on Thursday, reports said, as the nation tightened security on the eve of its annual Independence Day celebrations.

Officials blamed the attack in the troubled state of Manipur on rebels trying to enforce a boycott of Friday's celebrations, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported, adding at least 14 people were injured. One television station put the death toll at five.

Officials said a remote-controlled bomb was detonated as the bus, carrying mainly traders, passed over a bridge about 5:00 a.m. (2330 GMT), near the state capital, Imphal, PTI said.

No further details were available. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers, police and commandos are on high alert throughout India for Independence Day amid fears of militant strikes.

Separatists in Kashmir and rebels in the northeast have in the past launched attacks to try to disrupt celebrations or scare people away.

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