India's major cities were put on high alert today, with fears of more attacks after at least 40 people were killed in two days of bombings.
At least 16 small bombs exploded in the Indian city of Ahmedabad on yesterday, killing at least 39 people and wounding 110, a day after another set of blasts in Bangalore killed a woman.
A little known group called the "Indian Mujahideen" claimed responsibility for the Ahmedabad attack. The same group said it carried out bombs attacks that killed 63 people in the western city of Jaipur in May.
It is unusual for any group to claim responsibility, but India says it suspects militant groups from Pakistan and Bangladesh are behind a wave of bombings in recent years, with targets ranging from mosques and Hindu temples to trains.
"The entire nation, including major metro cities in India have been put on high alert and they have been asked to step up security in vital installations," a home ministry spokesman said.
In New Delhi, police used loudspeakers and distributed leaflets in crowded market places, warning people to watch out for unclaimed baggage and suspicious objects. Police guarded Hindu temples in the eastern city of Kolkata.
There were two separate series of bombings in Ahmedadad, the first near busy market places. A second quick succession of bombs went off 20 to 25 minutes later around a hospital, where at least six people died, police said. All were detonated with timers.
The other bombs were in Ahmedabad's crowded old city dominated by its Muslim community. Many were packed into metal tiffin boxes, used to carry food, and packed with ball-bearings. Some were left on bicycles.
Police found three other unexploded bombs in Ahmedabad today, local media said.
Reuters