Serial explosions in Indian state

23/11/2007| IslamWeb

At least three near-simultaneous bomb blasts have hit the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, reports say.

Officials say at least four people have been killed in the explosions in the state capital Lucknow, a nearby town of Faizabad and the holy city of Varanasi.

Reports said the blasts occurred within five minutes of each other. They took place inside crowded court premises.

Some casualties are feared. Police have described the explosion at the Faizabad court as a "powerful" one.

A senior police officer said the blast in Lucknow was "minor".

"I believe it is the handiwork of groups who are trying to spread terror in our country," India's junior home minister, Sriprakash Jaiswal told reporters.

At least 12 lawyers were injured in the explosion in Varanasi, officials said.

PHOTO CAPTION

A map showing the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh