A court in India has sentenced to death 38 people for a series of bomb blasts in 2008 that left more than 50 dead and 200 wounded in the city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat state, which has a history of violent clashes between Hindus and Muslims.

It was the first time so many accused have received death sentences in a single case in the country. The sentence must be confirmed by a higher court.

Judge AR Patel also sentenced 11 people to life imprisonment in the case. During the attack, more than a dozen bombs went off across Ahmedabad.

A militant Islamic group, Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami, claimed responsibility for the bombings. It was considered to be Pakistani-based but is believed to be no longer active.

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The attacks occurred in two waves with explosive devices hidden in lunchboxes and bicycles. The first blast took place near crowded busy shopping centres in Ahmedabad and the second about 20 minutes later in and around hospitals where casualties were being taken.

India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, was the chief minister – the top elected official – of Gujarat state at the time.