Blast injures at least 20 in India; suspected terror attack

Bomb explosion occurred in holy city of Varanasi during evening prayers; between four and seven casualties were reportedly foreigners.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS, JPOST.COM STAFF
Mumbai attack hotel on fire 311 AP (photo credit: AP)
Mumbai attack hotel on fire 311 AP
(photo credit: AP)
LUCKNOW, India — Police say a bomb explosion wounded 20 people attending a Hindu ritual in what appears to be a terrorist attack in India's temple city of Varanasi.
Police official Brij Lal says the bomb was hidden in a milk canister on the Sheetla Ghat, one of many stone staircases leading to the Ganges river.
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Three people, including one foreigner, have been hospitalized in serious condition.
Additionally, conflicting reports say between three and seven foreigners were among those injured in the blast.
Lal says the blast Tuesday evening "appears to be a terrorist attack." It was not immediately clear who might be responsible.
In 2008, terrorists attacked several Western targets in Mumbai, killing 166 people, paralyzing India's business capital and freezing peace efforts between Pakistan and India.
Two emissaries serving in the Chabad Center in Mumbai were among those killed.