Three serial blasts have brought tension over Indian capital Delhi, which is planning to celebrate the annual big festival Diwali, Festival of Lights.

So far 59 were killed and 210 injured in the three blasts Sunday, according to local police.

The police have sealed the border of the capital since Sunday and strengthened the security in airports and railway stations.

Two powerful bomb blasts rocked two major shopping markets, Pahaganj and Sarojini, while another one blew on a crowded bus in Govindpuri from 5:30 to 6:00 pm Saturday.

About 16 people were killed in Pahaganj near New Delhi Railway Station, where many hostels accommodate foreign backpackers.

The worst casualty occurred in Sarojini market with 43 people dead. According to witnesses, a bomb had exploded in front of a small shop selling soft drinks causing the blast of a cylinder to set the area on fire.

"Around 6:00 o'clock Saturday evening, I suddenly felt strong tremors and two of the windows of my shop were broken into pieces. Then I saw many people running and shouting outside," said Raji, a shopkeeper whose shop is 30 meters away from the explosion spot in Sarojini.

The other blast took place on a crowded bus causing no death but injuring nine people as the bus driver and conductor found a suspicious bag earlier and then evacuated passengers on board. But the driver was severely injured when he flung away the bag.

Forensic experts and bomb disposal squads drawn from the Indian Army and Delhi Police sifted through the debris at Paharganj and Sarojini Nagar but they have not disclosed any information about the cause of blasts.

According to local media, police have detained and questioned about 20 people.

A militant group named Inqilab in India-controlled Kashmir claimed responsibility for the three blasts on Sunday.

The group spokesman said they did it to revenge the activities Indian security forces made in the region. But the government source said it was still too early to say who was behind the accidents.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh returned Saturday evening from his trip in Kolkata and made a statement calling on people to remain calm and showing the government's resolution to fight terrorists.

The government announced a reward of 100,000 rupees (2,306 US dollars) for information leading to the bombers.

All shops in Sarojini market were closed Sunday and few shoppers were seen at Pahaganj. The two places used to be must-go for many Delhi residents before Diwali. They bought candles, color lamps and gifts to celebrate the important festival, which is said to be the day, when Rama returned from with the victory over demon king, written in Indian epic Ramayana.

Source: Xinhua