Major Indian Cities On Terror Alert As Bombing Wave Leaves 80 Dead
The Age
Thursday May 15, 2008
MUMBAI and Delhi are on high terror alert after a bomb attack killed 80 people in Jaipur, one of India's main tourist destinations.
Eight blasts were detonated within 12 minutes in the crowded laneways of the historic walled city, raising fears of a fresh wave of terror attacks in India. At least three children were among the dead and more than 200 people injured. There were no reports of foreign casualties. "We are in for a more violent phase of terrorism," a senior intelligence official said.It was the first terrorist attack in Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan, which attracts many foreign tourists because of its rich architectural heritage.One of the bombs was detonated near the 18th century landmark the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Wind, and another targeted the famed Johri Bazaar, crammed with jewellers. Three more bombs were defused. Rajasthan state's director-general of police, A. S. Gill, said several bombs had been placed in plastic bags and attached to bicycles, with the aim of causing maximum damage. There were no claims of responsibility, but authorities were quick to declare the "meticulously planned" attacks the work of terrorists. A junior minister for home affairs in the Indian Government, Sriprakash Jaiswal, said he suspected a "foreign hand" was involved - normally a reference to Pakistan. However, Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani condemned the attacks. Three militant organisations - the Bangladesh-based Harkat-ul-Jehad-al-Islami, the Students Islamic Movement of India and Lashkar-e-Taiba - top the list of suspects. Police have detained eight people for questioning. They also know where the bicycles used in the attacks were bought and have a description of the buyer. The attackers appeared to target Hindus, with two of the bombs placed near temples dedicated to the Hindu deity Hanuman.The blasts also coincided with the 10th anniversary of India's historic nuclear bomb tests, which took place at Pokhran, which, like Jaipur, is in the state of Rajasthan. Jaipur is the base for the Indian Premier League cricket team the Rajasthan Royals, which includes Australian stars Shane Warne and Shane Watson. the team was not in the city at the time of the bomb attacks.
© 2008 The Age
