* * * Jharkhand News * ** ** **
** * * ** ** ** TERROR ATTACK: Jaipur serial blasts kill 70, injure 150 JAIPUR, May 13: At least 70 people were killed and more than 150 injured when nine powerful blasts ripped across the overcrowded market areas of old Jaipur city this evening. The serial blasts took place in quick succession at Badi Chaupad, Tripolia Bazaar, Chandpole, Sanganeri Gate, Johri Bazaar and Choti Chaupad. Bangladesh-based terror outfit, Harkat-ul-Jehadi Islamia (HuJI), is suspected to have been behind the explosions. The first explosion occurred near Hanuman Temple around 7.30 p.m. and was closely followed by similar explosions within a span of 15 minutes. The bomb squad has recovered and defused a live bomb near the Hanuman Temple in Chandpole. Coincidentally temples were located in the vicinity of all nine blast sites. Unconfirmed reports from Sawai Mansingh Hospital indicate that the total death toll is likely to exceed 100 as the critically injured victims were succumbing to their wounds by the minute. Police have detained a Mumbai national from the city who is believed to have some connections with the blasts. "More than 70 people were killed and more than 100 injured. Our bomb squad has recovered a live bomb. This is a terror attack and we are probing into the matter," said Mr AS Gill, Director-General of Police, Rajasthan. According to initial reports, all nine bombs were planted in some vehicles including a car and cycle rickshaws in the overcrowded market area and were detonated with the help of a remote device. Two bombs went off at Badi Chaupad close to the famous Hawa Mahal. The Hanuman Temple near Sanganeri Gate which was packed with devotees during the Tuesday evening prayers was also targeted in the blast. Another blast was reported near a sweet shop at Johri Bazaar and was followed by another one in the same locality. Chandpole and Choti Chaupad were also rocked by similar explosions within a span of a few seconds. The exact nature of explosives used in the blast was yet to be verified. The home department has issued a red alert warning across the state. The injured have been rushed to Sawai Mansingh Hospital. Chief minister Ms Vasundhara Raje rushed to Jaipur from Jodhpur in an Indian Air Force helicopter and has appealed to the public to remain calm. Security has been beefed up in Ajmer shrine where a similar terror strike was carried out last October. The Union home ministry sounded a nation-wide alert. The ministry issued advisory to all states to be "extra vigilant in crowded places" besides rushing a team of National Security Guards to Jaipur to assist the state security personnel in investigations. Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh spoke to the Rajasthan chief minister, Ms Vasundhara Raje, and offered all Central support to the state government in dealing with the crisis. Condemning the devastating terror attack, Dr Singh urged the people of Jaipur to be calm "at this difficult moment" and assured all possible assistance to the state government to restore normalcy and "to go to the root of this attack". An alert was sounded in West Bengal tonight in view of the serial blasts at Jaipur this evening. Vigil was stepped up at vital installations. thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=1&theme=&usrsess=1&id=203766 ** <http://www.jharkhand.org.in/contact.htm> . * News TV <http://www.indian-tv.blogspot.com/> Blog <http://www.jharkhand.org.in/blog> Photo <http://www.jharkhand.org.in/photo> Music <http://www.jharkhandi.org/music.htm> Video <http://www.jharkhandi.org/video.htm> Live Chat <http://www.jharkhand.org.in/live> Directory <http://www.jharkhand.org.in/directory> Testimonials <http://www.jharkhand.org.in/directory> Forum <http://yahoogroups.com/group/jharkhand> Contact <http://www.jharkhand.org.in/contact.htm> . * -- Jharkhand News [EMAIL PROTECTED] Jharkhand Online Network www.jharkhand.org.in/news
