Christians condemn Delhi blasts that killed 20 and injured 100

Five blasts rocked the state of Delhi, killing at least 20 and injuring over 100, targeting the posh and crowded areas in South and Central Delhi on Saturday.

According to police sources, the blasts that struck five crowded areas in the capital, was the handiwork of a Muslim militant group calling itself the 'Indian Mujahideen'.

"We have very vital clues, positive clues, we are very hopeful we will solve this case," Delhi police spokesman Rajan Bhagat said, confirming that the latest toll stood at 20 dead and 100 injured and will increase.

Two of the blasts hit Connaught Place (close to Christian Today office in the Church of North India building) – the city's largest financial and commercial centre – while two more hit the upmarket shopping district of Greater Kailash.

In an email sent to several media outlets minutes before the first blast, the Indian Mujahideen challenged authorities to "stop us if you can."

The e–mail says, "Your oppression will always be revenged Inshallah though after years to come. With this message, we once again declare that our intense, accurate and successive attacks like the one you will see exactly 5 minutes from now, Inshallah, will continue to punish you even before your earlier wounds have healed."

The e–mail complains about what it describes as the media's biased reporting about the recent anti–Christian violence in Orissa and about the weak and insufficient media coverage of the bomb blasts in Kanpur in which two Bajrang Dal activists died.

In what may invite more controversies and intensified attacks on Christians by Hindu fanatics, the email attributed the blasts against the action of RSS who is against ‘Muslims, Dalits and Christians’.

However, Christian organizations including the Church of North India and the Global Council of Indian Christians has condemned the action of the Islamic groups and urged for unity and peace.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh vowed that "the challenge posed by terrorism and communalism would be fought tooth and nail," while President Pratibha Patil denounced what she described as a "mindless act of violence."

The next–of–kin of the victims will be given a compensation of Rs eight lakh––Rs five lakh by the Delhi government and Rs three lakh by the Centre.