New Delhi, Sept 13 (ANI): At least twenty people have been reportedly killed and 50 injured in five serial bomb blasts in different places in the national capital.
The blasts took place in Karol Bagh's Gaffar market, Connaught Place, Greater Kailash-I and Barakhamba Road in a span of 40-50 minutes. One bomb was defused near high-security area near India Gate.
Indian Mujahideen has claimed responsibility for the blasts.
The blasts at Ghaffar market in Karol Bagh, Connaught Place and Greater Kailash took place in a quick succession, police said.
The first blast took place at Ghaffar market at 6.10 p.m. in which at least 20 people were injured. They were rushed to nearby RML hospital. The explosive was kept near a car. The impact of the blast was so severe that an auto was thrown up several feet.
Immediately after that, two explosions took place in Connaught Place in which at least 10 people were injured.
Another explosion rocked M-Block market in Greater Kailash-I. The bombs were hidden in a dustbin.
The impact of the blasts in Karol Bagh could be gauged by the fact that an auto was thrown up and got caught in the electrical wires.
Senior Police officials including Joint Commissioner of Police Karnail Singh rushed to the spot in the central district and were assessing the situation.
Reportedly, Indian Mujhahideen has taken responsibility for the blasts.
In an email to media organisations, Indian Mujahideen, the terror outfit that had claimed responsibility for the July 26 Ahmedabad blasts, said it had carried out the serial blasts in Delhi. It threatened that there would be nine blasts in all.
Sarojini Nagar market, scene of the pre-Diwali eve blasts in 2005, in which more than 60 people were killed, has been evacuated.
Preliminary examination of the blast site said that low intensity ammonium nitrate tied to integrated circuit had been used in almost all the serial blasts. Timer devices were used in all the blasts.
Two persons have been detained by the police for questioning. The police said that a 12-year-old boy may be able to provide clues.
The Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil has said that people should maintain calm and social harmony and understanding.
"Let us jointly fight the tragedy," he said.
PM condemns serial blasts in national capital
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh strongly condemned the serial blasts in the national capital on Saturday evening and appealed to the people to maintain calm.
A PMO spokesperson said that he expressed grief over the loss of lives in blasts.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi has also conveyed her heartfelt grief and assured all help to the victims.
Congress party condemned the serial blasts in Delhi, saying the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government would go all out to tackle the terrorist menace.
Soon after the blasts, M Veerappa Moily, Congress party's media department chief, told reporters, "This is a heinous crime by terrorists. The All India Congress Committee (AICC) strongly condemns it and the government will firmly deal with the terrorists. We will not allow this to go on."
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has said the serial blasts in Delhi was a "war" against the country and demanded revival of tough anti-terror law Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA). (ANI)
