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LEAD: 12 killed in serial blasts in northern Indian holy city+(Japan Economic Newswire Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)NEW DELHI, March 7_(Kyodo) _ (EDS: UPDATING WITH LATEST DEATH TOLL) At least 12 people were killed and dozens injured in serial blasts Tuesday evening in the northern Indian Hindu holy city of Varanasi in the state of Uttar Pradesh, according to local media reports. The first blast took place at the crowded Sankat Mochan temple around 6:30 p.m., and the second and third in one of the city's railway stations, reports said. Television pictures showed panic-stricken people, blood-spattered ground and shattered glass everywhere in the temple complex, which was crowded with people. All crowded areas, including shopping complexes, have been shut and the blast areas have been cordoned off, the reports said. Security has been tightened all over the city while its borders have been sealed, according to media reports. The world famous Hindu pilgrim city is one of the most popular destinations of foreign tourists, including Japanese. So far, no terrorist group or any other organization has claimed responsibility for the attack. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, condemning the attack, has appealed the people for calm. Hindu Muslim clashes have broken out all over India after Hindu extremists pulled down an ancient mosque in the Hindu holy town of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. Security experts say the blasts could be caused by a terrorist organization due to the nature of explosions. Mumbai, India's commercial capital, Delhi and famed temple complexes around the country have been placed under high alert. The explosions come days before a popular Hindu festival of colors "holi." |