rocked by three bomb blasts blamed on terrorists Saturday, October 29, killing at least 49 people, including apparently Christians.
The first explosion hit a crowded neighborhood and main market in central New Delhi near a railway station, known as the Paharganj area, "killing at least ten people", Indian media reports quoted Indian officials as saying.
Minutes later explosions shook another market in New Delhi, the huge Sarojini Nagar Market, and the neighborhood of Govindpuri in the south, reportedly triggering panic that many people may have fallen targets.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Home Ministry confirmed that it was "a planned terrorist attack,", the BosNewsLife New Delhi Bureau learned.
MILITANT GROUPS
However in a statement obtained by BosNewsLife, Singh said the "terrorists will not defeat the people of India." He also urged the people of the country to stay calm.
No one claimed responsibility for the blasts, but the Indian government has been battling militant groups, including organizations fighting for independence in Kashmir, the disputed territory between India and nuclear rival Pakistan. Both countries began unprecedented talks on opening their heavily defended Kashmir frontier to bring food, shelter and medical aid to victims of the Himalayan region’s massive earthquake.
Indian media said militant group Lakshar-e-Toiba was being suspected of being behind the blasts, just weeks after several of its members were reportedly killed in the quake this month.
Reports said investigations also showed that the first blast was caused by explosives at a motorcycle parked in front of a shop, while the blast at Govindpuri was apparently caused by explosives hidden in a bus. There was no immediate independent confirmation of this report. Besides those killed, at least dozens of people were injured, officials said.
RED ALERT
A BosNewsLife reporter in New Delhi heard the Red Alert sirens across New Delhi after the
blasts, amid concerns over possible more terrorist attacks.
The Home Ministry urged all the people in New Delhi’s crowded places "to go back to their homes."
These latest attacks were expected to add to religious tensions in India, where especially Christians have expressed concern about militant activities.
The explosions came as New Delhi prepared for the upcoming Hindu festival, Diwali, when people are supposed to buy sweets and gifts for their friends and family, and especially market areas are more crowded than usual.
MUMBAI CONCERNED
Following the explosions in New Delhi, security was also beefed up in Mumbai, India’s commercial capital which was formerly known as Bombay.
"We are taking all possible steps in view of the situation. "All our force is on alert and bomb detection squads are also ready to meet any eventuality," said Mumbai city police cmmissioner A.N. Roy in a statement monitored by BosNewsLife.
Roy stressed additional policemen have been deployed at "sensitive places" and that special quick response and assault teams were also on high alert.
"I appeal to citizens to help maintain peace and harmony during this festive season and foil attempts by forces who do not want peace to prevail in the city," he added.
CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES
The blasts ended a day of tragedies for the country, as earlier on Saturday, October 29, a passenger train plunged into a rain-swollen river in southern India killing at least 77 people and trapping dozens more inside the derailed cars, officials said.
About 100 injured passengers were reportedly rescued from the coaches, which derailed after floods washed away the tracks in the town of Veligonda in Andhra Pradesh state.
The incidents were expected to put additional strain on aid groups, including Christian organizations such as Gospel For Asia which claims its native missionaries are currently involved in relief efforts in India and neighboring Pakistan following the recent massive earth quake in the region.
That October 8 quake is believed to have killed nearly 80,000 people and left more than 3 million homeless. (With reporting by Stefan J. Bos at BosNewsLife News Center).
