Suspected Islamic terrorists set off a series of bombs in the ancient Hindu holy city Varnasi killing 20 and wounding scores of people. The coordinated improvised explosive device is a sure handiwork of Pakistan-based terrorist groups. The first bomb went off in the Sankat Mochan Hanuman temple that adjoins the ancient Vishwanatha Shiva temple. Armed police were quickly deployed to prevent sectarian backlash and national leaders called for calm. The city shutdown in protest against the bombs—shopkeepers closed down while authorities ordered schools and colleges closed. Bharatiya Janata Party blamed the Uttar Pradesh Samajwadi Party Government of ignoring security threats saying that “the government is encouraging Islamic terrorism by turning a blind eye to their activities". While no group has claimed responsibility analysts suspect Lashkar-e-Toiba, which has attacked other sites in the past, to be behind this crime. Pakistan was quick to condemn these blasts and a spokeswoman said “we know how it feels. We have been on the receiving end, we have had attacks on our places of worship too. It’s insanity, only an inhuman person will do that.” India accuses Pakistan of providing shelter, training, and material support to terrorists; a charge that it denies. Analysts both Indian and Western accuse Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf of trying to play on both sides of the fence—encouraging terrorists for domestic support and promising the West action against them but delivering little.