Press Trust Of India
New Delhi, December 07, 2010
First Published: 20:30 IST(7/12/2010), Last Updated: 20:42 IST(7/12/2010)
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The home ministry has sounded a nationwide alert with special stress on four major cities - Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad - in wake of the blast in Varanasi. "A general alert has been sent to all state governments and they have been asked to stay on high alert," Union Home Secretary G K
"It was low intensity blast which occurred at about 6.20 pm in which three-four people were injured. Subsequently we understand there could have been a stampede...as a result 15-20 people were injured. So roughly 20-25 people injured," he said.
According to home ministry sources, alerts have been issued to the four metropolis in particular.
They said a high-level team of the National Investigation Agency is also likely to visit the holy town.
Secretary for Internal Security at MHA, U K Bansal said, "We had alerted Uttar Pradesh Police sometime back. I am sure the UP police will take it as a challenge. There is no reason for panic."
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A two-year-old girl was killed and about 20 people, including four foreigners, were injured in a bomb blast at the Dashashwamedh Ghat on the banks of Ganga river in Varanasi at around 6.30 pm on Tuesday. Terrorist group Indian Mujahideen has claimed responsibility for the blast saying that it is a response
to the recent Ayodhya verdict.
1 killed, many injured in Varanasi bomb blast
HT Correspondent, Agencies
Varanasi, December 07, 2010
Varanasi, December 07, 2010
First Published: 18:56 IST(7/12/2010)
Last Updated: 20:52 IST(7/12/2010)
Last Updated: 20:52 IST(7/12/2010)
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A two-year-old girl was killed and about 20 people, including four foreigners, were injured in a bomb blast at the Dashashwamedh Ghat on the banks of Ganga river in Varanasi at around 6.30 pm on Tuesday. Terrorist group Indian Mujahideen has claimed responsibility for the blast saying that it is a response
to the recent Ayodhya verdict.
A bomb hidden in a metal canister exploded during the Ganga Aarti (a daily lamp ritual) between Shitlamata Ghat and Dashashwamedh Ghat. The state police and the Union Home Ministry have confirmed the blast.
Additional Director General of Police (ADG)-- Law and Order, Brijlal: "The state has been put on high alert. And anti-terrorist sqauds and a bomb disposal squad have been rushed to the site."
Though it has been reported that the bomb was possibly kept in a milk container. Quoting IG Varansai the ADG said that the bomb was placed in some cavity. The rest is being verified. All top Varanasi district and police officers are on the spot. ADG said that there was no laxity as the state was already on alert due to Babri Masjid demolition anniversary.
The blast took place when thousands of devotees and the foreign tourists had assembled at the ghat for having darshan of the Ganga Arti, police sources said.
Sources said the injured, which included some foreigners also, have been rushed to the nearby hospital. They said a high level meeting is currently on in Lucknow where senior offcials are working out a plan to contain any possible tension due to the explosion.
Some people have been injured due to the blast and some others due to the consequent stampede which occured due to the collapse of the railing. Home Seceretary GK Pillai said that four to five people were injured due to the blast while 14-15 people were injured due to the stampede following the blast.
( With PTI inputs)
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