30 killed, 100 injured in Ahemdabad blasts

Ahmedabad, Jul 26 (UNI) A day after Bangalore was hit by serial blasts, another spate of over 20 explosions rocked this city this evening, killing at least 30 people and injuring over 100 others.

Higly placed sources in the Gujarat government, who did not wish to be indentified, told UNI that at least 30 people had died in the blasts.

Earlier, police sources said the number of those killed was at least 24.

Initial reports suggested that the bombs were kept in tiffin boxes and left in municipal transport buses and on bicycles.

The blasts took place between 1845 and 2000 hrs at Maninagar (4 blasts), Ishanpur (3 blasts), Sarkhej, Naroda, Sarangpur, Khadia, Raipur, Meghaninagar, and Thakkar Bapanagar areas of the city.

Meanwhile, National Security Guards have arrived here from New Delhi to assist the local law enforcement agencies.

An intelligence source, on condition of anonymity, said the day and time chosen by the culprits were aimed at spoiling the 'Vijay Diwas' of Kargil War. The law enforcement and security agencies of the state, which have been put on alert in the wake of Bangalore blasts yesterday, have been asked to keep tight vigil at all strategic and vital points of the state.

The security at Kalupur railway station, Sardar Patel International Airport and state and city bus depots has also been tightened.

Police control room sources said all the entry points to the city have been blocked and every vehicle, entering or leaving the city, was being thoroughly checked with help of sniffer dog squads.

Similarly, security has been beefed up at famous Somnath and Ambaji Temples in the state Thousands of people thronged the hospitals to donate blood and render other help to the victims and their families.

Union Textile Minister Shankarsinh Vaghela, who belongs to Gujarat, alleged that the blasts were results of failure of law and order situation in the state.

''Chief Minister Narendra Modi often challenged militants to strike at Gujarat. He has given them an invitation,'' he said.

He said the state government had failed to take precautionary steps despite inputs from the Central Intelligence agencies.

The Central and state agencies should work in tandem to prevent recurrence of such incidents, he added.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister...picking up from DI 41 BLAST-OVERALL LEAD-GUJARAT para 8 UNI MP SSS SK VP0055