Bombs kill at least 60 in historic Indian tourist city

Published on Tuesday 13 May 2008 22:10

SEVEN bombs ripped through an ancient city in India last night, killing at least 60 people and wounding 150.

The blasts struck within the old walls of Jaipur, a city in Rajasthan, a region known for its pink-hued palaces that draw thousands of Indian and foreign tourists a year.

AS Gill, the state's police chief, said an eighth bomb was defused. "Obviously, it's a terrorist plot. The attempt was to cause maximum damage to human life."

He added that bicycles may have been used, though he did not say if the explosives were detonated by suicide bombers or planted on parked bicycles.

After the bombings, which began just before 7:30pm, authorities put New Delhi and Mumbai on high alert.

One of the blasts in Jaipur reportedly hit a market near a temple dedicated to the Hindu monkey god Hanuman. Tuesday is the day of worship for Hanuman, and the temple was packed.

The Press Trust of India news agency said another blast took place near the Johari Bazaar, the jewellery market and a popular destination for tourists.

The tourist season, however, ended in March and there were no indications that any foreigners were among the victims.

Parikshit Bhandari, who saw the attack near the jewellery market, said there was "blood all around and wounded people crawling on the ground".

Television channels showed footage of mangled bicycles, damaged cars and overturned bicycle rickshaws, the most popular mode of transport.

"One can't rule out the involvement of a foreign power," said Sriprakash Jaiswal, India's junior home minister, referring to neighbouring Pakistan.