Serial blasts rock Mumbai, 172 killed

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Serial blasts rock Mumbai, 172 killed

NDTV Correspondent

Tuesday, July 11, 2006: (Mumbai)

At least 172 people have been killed in the series of blasts that rocked Mumbai on Tuesday.

Seven blasts took place on different railway stations in the city.

The first blast was reported at Bhayandar station near Mira Road at 6:09 pm (IST) in a local train, which left several people injured.

Terror unleashed

The second blast was reported at Jogeshwari station, while the third blast took place at Mahim.

Soon after, the fourth explosion took place at Santacruz, while the fifth blast was reported at Khar. The sixth blast was reported from Matunga station. Home Minister Shivraj Patil, National Security Adviser M K Narayanan and Home Secretary V K Duggal attended the specially convened meeting in New Delhi.

Tuesday, July 11, 2006 (Mumbai):

At least 172 people have been killed in the series of blasts that rocked Mumbai on Tuesday.

Seven blasts took place on different railway stations in the city.

The first blast was reported at Bhayandar station near Mira Road at 6:09 pm (IST) in a local train, which left several people injured.

Terror unleashed

The second blast was reported at Jogeshwari station, while the third blast took place at Mahim.

Soon after, the fourth explosion took place at Santacruz, while the fifth blast was reported at Khar. The sixth blast was reported from Matunga station.

The seventh explosion was at Borivali, which is where another bomb was also defused, averting yet another blast.

Police suspect that it is a pre-planned subversive plot similar to the explosions that had rocked Mumbai in 1993, 2002 and 2003.

All suburban and long-distance trains on the Western railway lines were suspended.

Police have also cordoned off the major road intersections, railway stations and exit points.

Many commuters were stranded after the explosions and additional buses have been deployed in Mumbai to cope with the situation.

"Our priority is to ensure that nothing untoward takes place as a result of the blast," said Mumbai Police Commissioner A N Roy.

The blasts were targeted at commuters in the suburbs. It took place in the first class coaches during rush hour.

Mumbai airport has been put on alert and the trains from Mumbai to Gujarat have also been cancelled.

The other trains that stand cancelled are the Lok Shanti Express, Aravali Express, Awadh Express, Jaipur Superfast, Bandra-Bhavnagar Express, Gujarat Mail, Bombay Central-Indore Superfast, Golden Temple and the Surashtra Mail.

Local trains between Churchgate and Mahalaxmi and that between Borivali and Vasai, however, have resumed.