42 killed , 150 injured in two blasts in Mumbai

Mumbai,Monday, August 25, 2003: Two powerful bomb blasts in crowded areas of the city today killed at least 42 people and injured over 150, officials said Security forces were put on high alert in Maharashtra and neighbouring Gujarat. According to the Police explosives concealed in two taxis went off in quick succession in the vicinity of Mumbadevi near the crowded Zaweri bazaar and Gateway of India. Twenty-six people were declared dead before admission at J J hospital and 85 others were admitted with serious injuries. The blast appears to be similar to the bomb blasts that rocked the city a few years ago.

At G T hospital, three persons were declared dead before admission while 35 were admitted with serious injuries. Mumbai police commissioner R S Sharma said the explosions were suspected to be the handiwork of terrorists but so far no one has claimed responsibility for the blasts. The explosions occurred in Gujarati dominated areas prompting the authorities in Maharashtra and Gujarat to put the security forces on high alert.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who is also the State Home Minister, convened a high-level meeting of police officers to take stock of the situation and review security measures. City Police Commissioner R S Sharma inspected the blast sites.

Fifty of those injured were taken to the J J hospital, 31 to the G T hospital and 25 to the St George hospital here.In the wake of bomb blasts in Mumbai, state of high alert was today sounded in Delhi which remains a target for terrorists. The entire police force, particularly those deployed at vital installations and other sensitive places, have been sensitised, report said quoting police sources .

Extra force have been deployed at market and other crowded public places, the ources said. Police pickets have been erected at various places across the Capital and random checking of vehicles is being carried out, they said. Top Delhi police officials held a meeting to review the situation in the Capital in the wake of developments in Mumbai

Following the blast, a state of high alert was sounded in Delhi which remains a target for terrorists. The entire police force, particularly those deployed at vital installations and other sensitive places, have been sensitised, the news agencies reported. Extra force have been deployed at market and other crowded public places, the report said. Police pickets have been erected at various places across the Capital and random checking of vehicles is being carried out. Top Delhi police officials held a meeting to review the situation in the Capital in the wake of developments in Mumbai.-keralamonitor

 

The Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee meets the visiting President of the Republic of Guyana Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo in New Delhi on August 25, 2003 (Monday).