Apparent bomb blast kills 8 in India

NEW DELHI | An apparent bomb blast ripped through a crowded bakery Saturday in the western Indian city of Pune, killing at least eight people near a famed meditation center frequented by foreigners, an official said.

The blast threatened to damage new efforts to reduce tensions between India and Pakistan, with Hindu nationalist leaders already placing the blame for the explosion at India’s Muslim neighbor.

Home Secretary G.K. Pillai said the 7:30 p.m. explosion at the German Bakery, near the Osho Ashram, a renowned meditation center, was likely caused by a bomb.

“It appears that an unattended package was noticed in the bakery by one of the waiters who apparently attempted to open the package when the blast took place,” Pillai told reporters.

The building and nearby shops were badly damaged and splattered with thick patches of blood and several limbs.

“I came running to the bakery after hearing the explosion. I found people lying all over the place,” said Abba More, who lives nearby.

One foreigner was among those killed and another was injured in the blast, he said, adding that their nationalities were not immediately known.

Earlier, Press Trust of India quoted Pillai as saying the blast was likely a terror attack.

If true, it would be the first major terror strike in India since 10 Pakistan-based gunmen rampaged through hotels and the train station in the financial hub of Mumbai for 60 hours in November 2008, killing 166 people.

India has warned of a possible new attack in recent weeks and put its airports on alert for a possible hijacking attempt.

The blast came as ties between India and archrival Pakistan appeared to be warming.

The two countries agreed to hold talks in New Delhi on Feb. 25, their first formal negotiations since the Mumbai attacks.

Asked whether the blast was linked to the India-Pakistan talks, Pillai said: “Forensic investigations have just begun. Till they are completed, we will not know who is (involved).”

But Gopinath Munde, a senior Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party leader, asserted: “This again is an attack from Pakistan.”

Police, anti-terror squad members and forensic experts were at the scene investigating the explosion, while a team of federal investigators was flying to the city.

Story Continues →