A powerful blast shook Varanasi's Shitla Ghat when Ganga aarti' was under way on Tuesday evening, killing a two-year-old girl and injuring over 21 people. Among the injured are some foreigners. The blast, occurring a day after the 18th anniversary of the demolition of the Babri Masjid, was so powerful that the stairs leading to the Shitla Ghat were ripped apart.


With the Indian Mujahideen reportedly claiming responsibility for the explosion, the incident marked the return of terrorism in Uttar Pradesh, which had not witnessed a militant strike since the attack on the Rampur CRPF group centre in the intervening night of December 31, 2007 and January 1, 2008.This is the second time in around six years that Varanasi has been targeted by terror outfits.

A state of high alert has been sounded in the State, with very heavy security in Ayodhya, Mathura and other sensitive places, including Lucknow and Kanpur.

Published Date : Wednesday, Dec 08, 12:27PM IST

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