US ready to help India to probe Varanasi blast

United States Ambassador to India Timothy J. Roemer on Wednesday said the country is ready to help India probe the Varanasi blast.

?I was very saddened to hear of the tragic attack yesterday in Varanasi, a city well-known for the tolerance of its citizens and acceptance of religious diversity.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of the victims and for the speedy recovery of those who have been injured,? said Roemer.

He further said: ?The perpetrators of this senseless act have accomplished nothing. Their message is one of death and destruction, which accomplishes nothing.

The United States stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of India in condemning such meaningless violence and brutal attacks on the innocent.

?We stand ready to provide any appropriate assistance to the Indian government to investigate this heinous crime and bring the perpetrators to justice.?

The Ambassador also recollected his memories in Varanasi.

?In my travels through India, I have been very fortunate to visit Varanasi. I have felt the warmth of this city from its spiritual leaders and school children, the energy from its business community, and the vibrancy from the students at Banares Hindu University.?

?I have been inspired by attending the aarti ceremony on the banks of the Ganga River.

The spirit of this great city that has been embedded into the soul of its citizens for the past 3000 years by all faiths will overcome today?s tragic event so that Varanasi continues to be a shining example to the world of peace, tolerance, and religious freedom,? he said.

Meanwhile, an email that claimed responsibility for the Varanasi blast of Tuesday evening was traced to an unsecured Wi-Fi in Navi Mumbai, police said.

While reports said a father-son duo was taken into custody for questioning after the terror mail reached media offices from Indian Mujahideen (IM), according to one TV report the email was sent by Al-Fateh, which could be a front of IM.

It was sent from unsecured Wi Fi and possibly from a mobile phone, reports said.

An 18-month-old girl was killed and at least 25 others were injured in the blast on the banks of the Ganges in Varanasi.

Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Karamvir Singh said according to preliminary investigation the explosive was kept in the wall between two ghats.

The stampede that followed the explosion, collapsing a railing on the ghat, added to the injured toll while the explosion itself was a ?medium-intensity? blast, authorities said.

The explosion took place around 6:30 pm at the Sheetla Ghat, where over 5,500 people had gathered to watch the ?Maha Aarti? and offer prayers.

According to reports, four foreigners are among those injured.

Major cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Bangalore have also been put on alert.