'Death and Fear in Jaipur': India Reacts To Bombs

MUMBAI, India, May 14, 2008— -- All but one of India's daily English-language newspapers Wednesday led with the bomb blasts in Jaipur which killed 80 people and injured 200.

"Pink City Awash With Red" and "Bloodlust" and "Death and Fear in Jaipur" were just a few of the headlines.

The Indian Express, highlighted a pattern between the timing of recent terror attacks in India. Last night's bombs included a blast at the Hanuman Mandir temple in Jaipur – at Tuesday night prayers which draws the most worshippers. In 2006, both the Sankat Mochan (Hindu temple) in Varnasi and the Jama Masjid (Muslim mosque) were targeted on their holiest days.

"The intention is not only to cause the maximum loss of human lives but also to inflame communal passions and hope it escalates to a bloody showdown between communities," said The Indian Express.

The Hindustan Times offered details about some of the people who were killed and injured, including the flower dealers.

"Flowers strewn in the blood at Chauti Chaupar…told the gruesome tale. Many of the flower vendors of the Chauti Chaupar were injured, as bombs exploded behind the cement platform on which they displayed flowers."

Although there is no official claim of responsibility, several newspapers, including DNA (Daily News & Analysis), suggest that the terrorist acts were carried out by Huji, an Islamist group that calls for Kashmir to be part of Pakistan.

"The serial strikes in Jaipur carry out the operational signature of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the Harakat-ul-Jehad-al-Islami (Huji) say intelligence analysts based on first reports," said the paper.

The story continues by suggesting the attacks were aimed at "communal disharmony" and were likely carried out with external help, possibly from Pakistan, Kashmir or Bangladesh.

"Analysts see a larger design emerging from the terrorist strikes of recent times: A sensational attack every few months – simultaneous blasts using locally assembled bombs planted on cycles, and strategic selections of locations," said DNA.

Jaipur, in the north western state of Rajasthan is known as the "Pink City" and is famed for its pink forts and palaces. It is a large tourist attraction and considered part of the Golden Triangle vistors circuit which includes the Taj Mahal in Agra.

Rajasthan is considered a peaceful region of India, but a small bomb exploded in October last year killing three people during evening prayers at a crowded Muslim shrine in the Rajasthan city of Ajmer.