Security lapses led to Varanasi blast, Indian minister says

Dec 8, 2010, 11:37 GMT

New Delhi - India's Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram Wednesday said lax security measures had allowed a deadly blast in the northern city of Varanasi.

The bomb went off among worshippers and tourists at the Vishwanath Temple in the holy city during evening prayers on Tuesday.

A 2-year-old girl was killed and 31 people were injured, including six foreigners.

The Indian Mujahideen, an Islamist militant group, claimed responsibility for the attack.

Chidambaram said the 'first responsibility' for providing security lay with the state government, and accused the Uttar Pradesh authorities of ignoring an intelligence advisory that gave a specific warning about the attack.

The minister also spoke about lapses on part of the police, after visiting the site of explosion and meeting with the injured in hospital.

'I think the police made some arrangements ... but there may have been some laxity. Unfortunately, despite the presence of a platoon, somebody was able to plant an IED (improvised explosive device),' he told reporters.

'I think there is a lesson for the police. There is no question of relaxing the vigil on any day,' Chidambaram said.

Local authorities said 22 victims including two foreign nationals were still receiving hospital treatment.

Main Indian cities including New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Hyderabad remained on high alert a day after the attacks.

The last major terrorist strike in India was a bombing in February in the south-western city of Pune that killed 17 people including four foreign nationals.

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