Quote:
At least 49 people are feared dead and dozens more injured in India's capital after a series of explosions tore through markets packed with shoppers.
The first blast hit New Delhi's main Paharganj market, where people were shopping ahead of Diwali, a major Hindu festival.
At least 39 people were feared dead in that blast.
Then, minutes later, two more explosions shook the city.
Several others died and at least 60 were injured in a blast in the market in the Sarojini Nagar neighborhood, said a policeman who spoke to AP.
Three people were also killed in a blast that took place on or near a bus in the Govindpuri neighborhood. It's not known how many people were injured in that incident.
Witnesses said the blasts shook their neighborhoods.
"The blast was so powerful, my house shook," said Kiran Mohan, a photo editor who lives about 200 yards away from the Sarojini Nagar market.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called blasts an act of terrorism, although he wouldn't say who the government thought was responsible.
In a statement read on CNN by one of his top advisers, Sanjaya Baru, Singh urged people to remain calm, saying "India will win the battle against terrorism."
"This kind of cynical attack on the people of India is just not acceptable," read Baru.
While the Indian government faces opposition from dozens of militant organizations, there was no immediate official word that the explosions had been caused by bombs.
The explosions occurred as Indian and Pakistani officials began talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, Saturday on an unprecedented opening of the territory's disputed frontier to help victims of the massive Oct. 8 earthquake believed to have killed about 80,000 people.
Foreign Ministry officials were discussing whether to let Kashmiris cross the heavily militarized Line of Control, the cease-fire line that divides the Himalayan region over which the South Asian rivals have fought two wars.
"There were worries with the recent relaxation with the Line of Control in the aftermath of the earthquake in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir that militants might get across," said CTV's South Asia bureau chief, Matt McClure.
The first blast hit New Delhi's main Paharganj market, where people were shopping ahead of Diwali, a major Hindu festival.
At least 39 people were feared dead in that blast.
Then, minutes later, two more explosions shook the city.
Several others died and at least 60 were injured in a blast in the market in the Sarojini Nagar neighborhood, said a policeman who spoke to AP.
Three people were also killed in a blast that took place on or near a bus in the Govindpuri neighborhood. It's not known how many people were injured in that incident.
Witnesses said the blasts shook their neighborhoods.
"The blast was so powerful, my house shook," said Kiran Mohan, a photo editor who lives about 200 yards away from the Sarojini Nagar market.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called blasts an act of terrorism, although he wouldn't say who the government thought was responsible.
In a statement read on CNN by one of his top advisers, Sanjaya Baru, Singh urged people to remain calm, saying "India will win the battle against terrorism."
"This kind of cynical attack on the people of India is just not acceptable," read Baru.
While the Indian government faces opposition from dozens of militant organizations, there was no immediate official word that the explosions had been caused by bombs.
The explosions occurred as Indian and Pakistani officials began talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, Saturday on an unprecedented opening of the territory's disputed frontier to help victims of the massive Oct. 8 earthquake believed to have killed about 80,000 people.
Foreign Ministry officials were discussing whether to let Kashmiris cross the heavily militarized Line of Control, the cease-fire line that divides the Himalayan region over which the South Asian rivals have fought two wars.
"There were worries with the recent relaxation with the Line of Control in the aftermath of the earthquake in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir that militants might get across," said CTV's South Asia bureau chief, Matt McClure.
Edited, Sat Oct 29 17:07:19 2005 by UndeadShroom
