150 detained after New Delhi bomb blasts

Investigators detained more than 150 people during raids on dozens of small hotels across the Indian capital today as they hunted for suspects in three terrorist bombings that killed at least 61 people in two crowded markets, according to reports.

Police declared a state of emergency and closed all city markets after yesterday's blasts. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh denounced the apparently co-ordinated 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.”

Police are looking for a man in his 20s who refused to buy a ticket on a passenger bus and got down in the Govindpuri neighbourhood, 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.

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. The police spokesman declined to comment, 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, as witnesses said the biggest blast caused a huge ball of fire that the explosive commonly causes. Some militant groups in Kashmir are known to have expertise in using RDX.

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

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.

“These are not entirely unexpected. It is a wake up call for all those who think of open borders” between India and Pakistan.

The first explosion hit at 5:45pm 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 explosio at the popular Sarojini Nagar market, killing 43 people, and the bus blast in the Govindpuri neighbourhood that injured nine.

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

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.