Senior Russian army officer killed in car explosion

MOSCOW, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Russian Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy chief of the General Staff's main operations directorate, was killed Friday in a car explosion in Balashikha, Moscow region, said the Russian Investigative Committee.

Preliminary findings indicated that the blast was caused by a homemade explosive device planted in the vehicle.

A criminal case has been opened. ■