New Delhi/Lucknow, Nov 23 : Union Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal today said that the blasts that rocked three cities of Uttar Pradesh in which at least 12 were killed, were aimed at disturbing communal harmony.

“One thing is clear that this is a conspiracy. Not sure which organization. (The) motive is to disturb communal harmony. I appeal to people to remain united. Uttar Pradesh is so large, lapses can happen,” said Jaiswal.

According to the police, the low intensity blasts took place within minutes of each other at the Civil Court in Lucknow and Varanasi, and the Criminal Court in Faizabad.

In Lucknow, the bomb, placed on the carrier of a bicycle, went off around 1:30 p.m., and then there were similar blasts just minutes later at Faizabad and Varanasi.

At least five people have been killed in Faizabad, and seven are reported to be dead in Varanasi.

Media reports suggest that a mail was sent to India TV five minutes before the blasts from a French ID.

They also claimed responsibility for the blasts that took place in Delhi and Hyderabad, but refused to have any association with the Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad and the Samjhauta Express blasts in Panipat or the terror strike in Malegaon.

The DIG Faizabad has confirmed that the blasts took place outside the Varanasi Collectorate.

A high level government meeting has been convened at Lucknow to discuss the issue. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) was also convened in New Delhi.

A high alert has been declared in Delhi and Mumbai following the blasts in UP courts. (ANI)