India, Feb. 14 -- The Government of India has issued a release:

The Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, today paid homage to the victims of the Coimbatore serial bomb blasts that occurred on 14 February 1998.

In a social media post, he described the tragic Coimbatore serial bomb blasts of 14 February 1998 as "a dark and painful chapter in our nation's history."

Reflecting on that day, the Vice-President said that when Shri L. K. Advani was visiting the city, a series of horrific explosions shook Coimbatore and left deep scars on countless families. He added that the atmosphere of fear, grief and uncertainty that prevailed then remains deeply etched in his memory.

Recalling his narrow escape in one of the blasts, he said t...