The Hindu Business Line : Serial blasts rock commercial areas in Capital, 18 dead

New Delhi, Sept. 13 The national Capital was on Saturday evening rocked by a series of blasts, killing 18 people and injuring over 75. The explosions, five of them within a matter of an hour, took place in some of the busiest commercial areas of the city.

The serial blasts follow similar coordinated explosions that took place in July 25-26 in Bangalore and Ahmedabad. The Indian Mujahideen, which had claimed responsibility for the earlier blasts, said it had executed the latest terrorist attack as well.

The organisation, said to be a front for banned outfits such as the Harkat-ul-Jihad-e-Islami and the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMA), sent an e-mail message to news agencies at almost the same time when the blasts happened.

First explosion

The first explosion hit the Ghaffar market area of Karol Bagh at about 6.15 p.m. This was followed by two blasts at Connaught Place area and two in the upmarket Greater Kailash-I part of South Delhi. Further, an unexploded explosive device was found at India Gate and the Regal Cinema of Connaught Place.

Among those who condemned the blasts included the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, the President, Ms Pratibha Patil, the Home Minister, Mr Shivraj Patil, the Congress President, Ms Sonia Gandhi, and the Leader of the Opposition, Mr L.K. Advani.

High security

Our Mumbai Bureau reports: A high alert has been sounded in Mumbai and across Maharashtra following serial blasts in New Delhi, the Maharashtra Director-General of Police, Mr A.N. Roy, said.

The alert also assumes significance as Ganesh idol immersions are scheduled to take place on Sunday, according to PTI .

Police personnel across the State have been alerted and high security would be maintained throughout the State, Mr Roy said.

Lakhs of people across the State are expected to take part in the immersion of Ganesh idols. Police would be video-filming the immersion procession. They are being deployed on the buildings, which are on the procession route.

Control Rooms have been set up at Girgaon Chowpatty, Shivaji Park Chowpatty, Bandra, Juhu Chowpatty and Powai lake. Watch towers have been erected at 37 places for regulating the traffic as well as for processions carrying the idols.

A senior police official said all immersion venues were being checked by bomb squads.

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