India's
major cities have been placed on high alert after a string of blasts in the
western part of the country killed at least 45 people.
Police say at
least 16 bombs went off Saturday in several crowded neighborhoods in the
historic city of Ahmedabad. More than 100 people have been wounded in the
attacks.
Indian television reported that a little-known group called
"Indian Mujahedin" has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Saturday's
attacks came a day after a string of explosions in the southern city of
Bangalore killed one person and wounded six others.
Government ministers said the attacks were meant
to destabilize the country by inciting communal tension.
Ahmedabad was
the scene of deadly riots between Hindus and Muslims in 2002 that killed at
least one thousand people.
India's Junior Home Minister Shaklee Ahmed
said he was shocked the attack occurred despite a high security alert in Indian
cities following Friday's explosions in Bangalore.
Some information for this report was provided by
AFP, AP and Reuters.