Dozens killed in three serial blasts of UP in India
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh, India), SVM News, November 23, 2007: At least two dozen people were killed in three bomb blasts that rocked in the populous cities of Uttar Pradesh state in India on November 23.
The explosions occurred in Lucknow civil court, Faizabad Collectorate and Varanasi civil court on Friday. The serial blasts were at a gap of five minutes from each other. A senior official said it were terrorist attacks.
Salem Voice Ministries (SVM) News Service reports that there have been some casualties and many injuries. More than ten advocates have been injured outside the Faziabad civil court and two advocates reportedly dead.
As per sources from Lucknow, the bomb there was kept in a cycle following which the explosion took place. It seems that this time the legal system was the target of the militants.
Home Minister of UP Sriprakash Jaiswal said, "I believe it is the handiwork of groups who are trying to spread terror in our country."
Sources had earlier said that the state was sensitive to terror attacks. A few days back three militants were arrested from the state and a terror plot was unveiled.
Lucknow is the capital of Uttar Pradesh, and Varanasi is a popular Hindu pilgrimage centre. At least 15 people were killed and 60 wounded there in three explosions in 2006.
Faizabad is a twin city of Ayodhya, a Hindu holy centre where hardline Hindu groups razed an ancient mosque in 1992, saying it was built on the birthplace of Lord Sri Ram.
Ayodhya has since been a flashpoint for Hindu-Muslim tensions across the country and the disputed site was also targeted by suspected Muslim militants in 2005.
India has been hit by blasts frequently in recent years and most of them have been blamed on Pakistan-based Islamist militant groups fighting against Indian rule in Kashmir. Last month, a small bomb exploded just after evening prayers at Ajmer, an important and crowded Muslim shrine in northwestern India, killing at least two people.
Indian officials say that militant groups target religious centres in an attempt to divide majority Hindus and minority Muslims and spark clashes.
Intelligence agencies are actively working towards finding out details.
SALEM VOICE MINISTRIES NEWS SERVICE (SVM NEWS)
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