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NITIN MAHAJAN & NEERAJ CHAUHAN

JAIPUR, MAY 13: 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.

No terror outfit has so far claimed responsibility for the attack. The police were also examining the possibility of the use of RDX as the blasts were “big in intensity”.

Police said a bomb was defused tonight near the Hanuman temple.

Being a Tuesday, the devotees, many returning from work, had gathered in large numbers at the Hanuman temples. The timing of the blasts was also crucial — they occurred around the time of aarti.

“According to the information I have received, 60 people have died and 150 have been injured,” said Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje who rushed back to the state capital from Jodhpur. She spoke over phone with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister Shivraj Patil.

The Centre has sent the bomb squad of the National Security Guards to Jaipur.

Doctors said many of the victims had shrapnel injuries. They feared that the toll could go up.

The blasts led to a near stampede-like situation as panic-stricken people ran for cover. Most of the injured were rushed to the Sawai Man Singh Hospital. Bodies of several victims lay in the corridors. Medical teams were being rushed from Ajmer and Kota to Jaipur.

Severed limbs, mangled heaps of cycle rickshaws and smashed windscreens of cars littered the blast sites. “We heard a big sound and what was left was a plume of smoke and blood all around,” said an injured eyewitness as he was taken to hospital.

Sriprakash Rent-a-Quote Jaiswal

Within minutes of the blasts, TV cameras know where to go: Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal. He obliged. Consider:

•It seems there might be some foreign hand in the blasts.

•The Centre stands like a “chattan” and is ready to help the state, if the state wants any help

•These are low-intensity explosions.

•And his most accurate quote of the evening: “It’s too early to make a correct assessment.”

editor@expressindia.com