Shivraj Patil

"Anti-national elements... have been trying to disturb peace and create panic among the people in various parts of the country... I am confident that security agencies will soon be able to get to the bottom of these incidents and the culprits will be brought to book."

"India's Home Minister Shri Shivraj Patil blamed the attack on "anti-national elements" who he said "have been trying to disturb peace and create panic among the people in various parts of the country." "The government will continue to deal firmly with such elements," Patel said in a written statement. "I am confident that security agencies will soon be able to get to the bottom of these incidents and the culprits will be brought to book.""

"The toll is likely to go up and we are just keeping our fingers crossed that everything remains calm."