Bangalore hit by blasts, many casualties

BANGALORE, India, July 25 (UPI) -- A series of low-intensity crude bomb blasts hit India's technology hub of Bangalore Friday, killing and injuring several people.

The Times of India reported at least two died in the blasts in various parts of the southern city and 20 more were wounded. Other reports said one woman was killed.

The Times of India report quoted Bangalore Police Commissioner Shankar Bidari that there were seven blasts triggered by timers.

The blasts, all occurring in a span of about 60 minutes starting around 1:20 p.m., targeted mostly crowded areas.

Quoting sources at India's Intelligence Bureau, the Times of India said the banned Students Islamic Movement of India and the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba may have had a hand in the attacks. Police sources said the attacks also bore the hallmarks of the Bangladeshi extremist group Harkat-ul-Jihad-al Islami or HuJi, the report said.

The Press Trust of India reported the crude bombs were concealed near refugee camps and roadside areas. Police Commissioner Shankar Bidari said "explosives were used in quantity equal to one to two grenades,"

Bangalore is India's main information technology center and home to several domestic and multinational IT and computer companies and thousands of call centers.