India Blast Probe Underway

Investigators detained more than 20 people in raids on dozens of small hotels across the Indian capital Sunday as they hunted for suspects in three terrorist bombings that killed at least 61 people in two crowded markets, police said.

Police declared a state of emergency and closed all city markets after the Saturday evening blasts. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh denounced the apparently coordinated bombings, describing them as "dastardly acts of terrorism."

"These blasts have been timed to create disaffection during the festival season," he said in a brief television statement. "We shall defeat their nefarious designs and will not allow them to succeed. We are resolute in our commitment to fighting terrorism in all forms."

All around,

Police said they were looking for a man in his 20s who refused to buy a ticket on a passenger bus and got off in the Govindpuri neighborhood, leaving behind a large black bag. When some of the 40 passengers raised an alarm, the driver and bus conductor examined it and threw it out just as the blast occurred, injuring both of them.

Asked who was responsible for the attacks, Singh would only say "there are several clues." The Indian government faces opposition from dozens of militant groups, particularly Kashmiri separatists, some of whom also oppose the peace process between Pakistan and India.

Singh summoned the Cabinet for an emergency meeting later Sunday to discuss the attack, officials said.

The private Star News TV channel reported that more than 150 people had been detained in the raids, but that none of them had been arrested. However, a police spokesman confirmed only 22 detainees, declining to give further details, citing the sensitive nature of the investigation.

A police officer with knowledge of the investigations said forensic experts were probing whether the lethal RDX explosive had been used in the attack, since witnesses said the biggest blast caused a huge ball of fire that the explosive commonly creates. Some militant groups in Kashmir are known to have expertise in using RDX.

A chemical explosive had been ruled out because there was no pungent smell reported after the blast, the officer said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak publicly.

Officials avoided pointing fingers, but a leading anti-terrorism expert said the timing and nature of the blasts appeared to indicate they were the work of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayyaba, the most feared militant group in Kashmir.

"It looks like Lashkar. They are the most active group here," said Vikram Sood, the former head of the Research and Analysis Wing, India's external intelligence agency.

The first explosion hit at 5:45 p.m. in New Delhi's main Paharganj market, killing 18 people and leaving behind bloodstained streets and mangled stalls of wood and twisted metal. Within minutes came an explosion at the popular Sarojini Nagar market, killing 43 people, and the bus blast in the Govindpuri neighborhood that injured nine.

Police said the three blasts killed at least 61 people and wounded 188.

CBS Radio News reports that Paharganj is a busy wholesale market, dotted with small, inexpensive hotels frequented by foreign travelers, particularly backpackers.

The attacks targeted the many people shopping just days before the festival of Diwali, a major Hindu holiday during which families exchange gifts, light candles and celebrate with fireworks. The markets where the blasts occurred often sell fireworks that are elaborate and potentially dangerous.

Delhi state's Chief Minister Sheila Dixit urged people to take precautions.

"Unless you do want to go shopping, please do not go to crowded areas. I am not saying there is a danger, but there could be a danger," she said.

Anil Gupta, who was sifting through the wreckage of his jewelry store, said after the explosion "there were people everywhere, they were bleeding and screaming." Scattered around his feet were bracelets, necklaces and earrings.

The explosions erupted just hours after India and Pakistan began talks on opening their heavily militarized border in disputed Kashmir to help get food, shelter and medical aid to victims of the Himalayan region's quake, which killed about 80,000 people, most in Pakistan.

Opening the border is extremely sensitive for India because of a 16-year insurgency by Islamic militants in Kashmir who seek to make the Indian portion independent or unite it with Pakistan.

But despite the blasts, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said early Sunday that the two sides agreed to open the border at five spots beginning Nov. 7. Shipments of aid supplies will be allowed to cross at those points, and Kashmiri civilians will be allowed to cross on foot, with priority given to those with families divided by the border.

Pakistan condemned the multiple attacks in New Delhi.

"The attack in a crowded market place is a criminal act of terrorism. The people and government of Pakistan are shocked at this barbaric act and express deep sympathy with the families of the victims," a Pakistani Foreign Ministry statement said.