India on Alert as Bomb Toll Soars to 49

Nation on alert after series of blasts rocks market, hospital
By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 27, 2008 7:07 AM CDT
India on Alert as Bomb Toll Soars to 49
Anilbhai Amarsibhai, 17, left, is consoled by an unidentified friend after they received the body of Anilbhai's brother Mansukhbhai, 27, in Ahmadabad.   (AP Photo/Gautam Singh)

India steeled for more attacks today as the death toll in a series of bombings soared to 49. A little known group called the Indian Mujahideen has claimed responsibility for 17 blasts that rocked a busy market and hospital in the town of Ahmedabad yesterday. Police today found two other unexploded bombs in the town, CNN reports. As many as 200 people were hurt in the attacks, a day after nine similar explosions in Bangalore killed two.

Officials, who have rounded up 30 suspects, have placed major cities on a high state of alert. New Delhi police today used loudspeakers and distributed leaflets in crowded market places, warning people to watch out for unclaimed baggage and suspicious objects, according to Reuters. Officers were also guarding Hindu temples in the eastern city of Kolkata. "It is a conspiracy to unsettle the country," said a government official.
(More bombing stories.)

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