At least 80 people were killed and more than 200 injured in a series of eight powerful blasts at six places in the crowded walled city area of Jaipur.
JAIPUR: At least 80 people were killed and more than 200 injured in a series of eight powerful blasts at six places in the crowded walled city area of Jaipur on Tuesday evening. Police suspect the Harkat-ul-Jehad-al-Islami could be behind the terror strikes.
According to the police, the first blast occurred at the Hanuman temple near Chandpole Bazaar between 7:10 and 7:25 pm; a chain of explosions followed at Jauhari Bazaar, Chhoti Chaupar, Sanganeri Gate, Manak Chowk, and a temple on the outskirts of the city in a span of 15 minutes. These areas, comprising the heart of Jaipur’s business centre, are within a short radius.
Three more live bombs were defused in the same area.
Most of the incidents took place near two Hanuman temples and some flower shops in the walled city – these places are generally crowded on Tuesdays.
According to sources, RDX and ammonium nitrate were used in the explosions, indicating a similarity with the blasts at the Ajmer Dargah on October 11, 2007.
According to police, the first bomb was attached to a cycle parked near the Hanuman temple in Chandpole. The cycle was parked in an area where beggars congregate.
“Brand new ranger bicycles, suspected to have been used in the blasts, were recovered from at least three sites,” police said.
Eyewitness accounts said a Honda City parked near the Temple was blown away, killing six persons of a family. The maximum number of casualties was reported from Chandpole and Chhoti Chaupar areas.
Rajasthan home minister Gulab Chand Kataria said the modus operandi indicated it was a well-organised terrorist outfit.
Though no terrorist outfit has so far come forward to claim responsibility, police suspect the involvement of HuJI, which has been active in the state in the last one year.
Intelligence sources also point out that the Bangladesh based HuJI sponsored largely by ISI has been actively collaborating with LeT in launching attacks in the country and today’s blasts may well be part of their strategy.
Initial reports revealed that ammonium nitrate was used in the explosives planted in bicycles - a modus operandi which had earlier been used by HuJI in the court premises in Faizabad, Lucknow and Varanasi on November 23 last year.
The Home Ministry has issued advisories to states to be extra vigilant regarding security in crowded places. The Ministry has directed the states to take adequate measures so that anti-social elements do not take advantage of the situation.
A Home Ministry spokesman said that a National Security Guard team has left for Jaipur to help in the investigations.
State borders were sealed and a high alert sounded in Rajasthan state and neighbouring areas, police said. They said there were no immediate reports of any backlash.
—- With Agencies
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