Terror struck Jaipur for the first time, triggering seven blasts within 20 minutes this evening in crowded markets and near temples, killing at least 60 people and leaving another 150 injured.

While the attacks came on the tenth anniversary of the Pokharan nuclear tests in Rajasthan, temples seemed to be the main targets.

Bombs were detonated near Hanuman temples at Chandpol and Badi Choupar, Shiv temple at Tripolia Bazar, and Sitaram temple at Chhoti Choupar. There were small temples near other blast sites as well. There was a blast inside the Manak Chowk police station premises which too had a temple. One of the blasts took place near the famous Hawa Mahal but caused no damage to the monument.

Incidentally, the blast sites were in the radius of 500 metres to 2 km from the Muslim-dominated Ramganj area which was the scene of a riot after the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. Even in subsequent years, the area has witnessed communal tension.

Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel were deployed in the city to help deal with the situation as security was stepped up.

Rajasthan Director General of Police A S Gill said it was “obviously a terror attack”’. He said the first blast occurred near Manak Chowk police station at 7.10 pm followed by explosions at six different locations.

Additional DGP A K Jain said time bombs had been placed on bicycles.

One of the blasts took place in a car and another near a handloom shop.

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