At least 25 killed in bombings in western India

Deutsche Presse Agentur
Published: Friday September 8, 2006

New Delhi- At least 25 people were killed and 100 injured in four blasts Friday in the western Indian state of Maharasthra as scores of people were gathering for a Muslim festival, media reports said. Police said two explosions took place as worshippers were dispersing after Friday prayers from the Noorani Mosque in Malegaon town in the Nasik district, located 260 kilometres north-east of the state capital, Mumbai.

Two other blasts were reported from other areas in the Muslim dominated town ahead of the Shab-e-Raat (the night of blessing) festival, the NDTV network reported.

The channel reported that 25 people were killed in the blasts in the town and most of the fatalities were reported from the crowded marketplace near the Noorani mosque.

There was panic near the mosque immediately after the blasts and the area was cordoned off.

Many Muslims had gathered in the town to prepare for the rituals of Shab-e-Raat on Friday night and to visit the graveyard to pray for their dead relatives.

Maharashtra police chief PS Pasricha however said only five people were killed in two blasts near the mosque. Pasricha said the nature of the explosives could only be confirmed after police teams reached the scene.

Security officials suspect that terrorists might have carried out the blasts to trigger communal tension in Malegaon, which has a history of religious violence between Hindus and Muslims.

Local politicians said there was tension in the town and additional police forces should be posted to avert any untoward incidents.

Later, state and federal government deployed heavy security cover in cities across Maharashtra, including the state capital Mumbai.

The blast came two months after a series of bombings on Mumbai trains. More than 180 people were killed in the seven blasts on July 11.

India's Premier Manmohan Singh recently said that intelligence agencies had warned that terrorist outfits would intensify attacks and target religious places and military installations.

© 2006 DPA - Deutsche Presse-Agenteur