Varanasi City rocked by serial blasts, Varanasi Bishop condoles loss of life

(March 8,2006) In India’s northern State of Uttar Pradesh, serial bomb blasts rocked Sankatmochan temple complex in Varanasi and the city's railway station on Tuesday evening, killing at least 15 people and injuring over 20, according to latest information received. Bishop Patrick D'Souza of Varanasi has condemned the violence and expressed sorrow for the loss of life. Immediately after the blasts, police was put on high alert in several parts of the country with security being beefed up at places of worship and vital installations. The first blast took place inside the famous Sankatmochan temple adjacent to Kashi Vishwanath temple, when it was teeming with devotees at the evening "aarti" time killing four persons on the spot. Minutes later, another blast took place on platform number one of the Varanasi Cantonment railway station when Delhi-bound Shivaganga Express was stationary. Official sources said at least 15 people died in the explosions and several others were injured. Four bombs were recovered at the Dashaswamedh Ghat, two kilometres away from the Sankatmochan temple. The bomb disposal squad was rushed to site to defuse the explosives. India’s President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh have condemned the blasts and appealed to the people to maintain calm. A red alert was been sounded throughout Uttar Pradesh and security has been put on high alert throughout the country.