New Delhi:
The death toll in Varanasi bomb blast on December 7 has risen to two with another victim being declared dead this morning.
(Watch: Varanasi blast caught on camera) 65 year old Phoolmati, who was present at the
Sheetla Ghat on that fateful day, had sustained severe head injuries and succumbed to death.
A one-and-a-half-year old girl, Swastika, was the first casualty of the blast that left more than 20 injured.
(Baby Swastika missed her second birthday by 10 days)On December 7, an explosion occured at the
Sheetla Ghat, near the main
ghat where daily
aarti or prayers are offered. The blast took place just as the
aarti ended.
High alert was sounded across many metros in the country and security beefed up after the blast as investigative agencies suspected it was the handiwork of the terror outfit Indian Mujahideen (IM).
(Varanasi bomb blast: MHA issues nationwide alert) A terror email claiming responsibility of the blast was traced to Mumbai and police sources had indicated that IM's Bhatkal brothers could be behind the blast. However, no arrests have been made so far.
(Varanasi bomb blast: Indian Mujahideen email)