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Terrorists blamed for pre-festival attacks which killed 59
 Indian police combed the sites of three powerful blasts in New Delhi on Sunday for clues to who carried out coordinated attacks that killed at least 59 people, most of them shopping just before a major Hindu festival. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who blamed the attacks at crowded markets on terrorists, was holding a Cabinet meeting Sunday. At a news conference, police said it was premature to comment about who was behind the bombings, and that no one had been detained. Asked about a group called Islami Inqalabi Mahaz, who reportedly contacted media in Indian-controlled Kashmir to claim responsibility for the blasts, police said they were investigating. Stores in marketplaces struck by the explosions reopened after cleanup Sunday, still seeing a busy shopping day as New Delhi residents prepared for Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. At least 59 people were killed and 210 wounded Saturday when three blasts ripped through the city within minutes of each other -- two at marketplaces and one on a bus in a neighborhood. Government officials called the blasts the work of terrorists, but named no groups, and there was no immediate claim of responsibility. Police offered a reward -- the equivalent of $2,400 -- for information leading to the arrest of those responsible. "It's a very sad day for all of us because Delhi is celebrating a festive season," Delhi's chief minister, Sheila Dikshit, told CNN.
Posted by: Fred 2005-10-31 |
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