NEW DELHI: At least five blasts ripped through different parts of the National Capital on Saturday evening between 6:15 PM and 7 PM. At least 18 have been killed and over 100 have been injured. Unconfirmed reports say the casualty figure may be higher.
The blasts took place in the Gaffar Market area of Karol Bagh, two blasts in Connaught Place, and another in Greater Kailash (M-block).
The impact of the blasts in Karol Bagh could be gauged by the fact that an auto was thrown up and got caught in the electrical wires.
According to Delhi Police, two persons were detained from Connaught Place area soon after the blasts.
Police said a boy named Rahul had claimed to have seen the terrorists.
Rahul informed the police that terrorists were travelling in an auto-rickshaw. He also said that the terrorists were clad in black kurta-pyjama.
Security was tightened across the National Capital, with police personnel fanning out in large numbers to railway and Metro stations, hospitals, bus terminals and airport.
Gun-toting security personnel were deployed at sensitive points after explosions in a span of 45 minutes ripped through the city.
Barricades were put up at several places to regulate traffic. There was chaos on the roads as people who were outside rushed back home following the blasts.
Security was stepped up at railway and Metro stations, inter-state bus terminals, airport, cinema halls, shopping malls and other sensitive points.
Several major city markets, including the popular Sarojini Nagar Market which was targeted in the previous Diwali-eve blasts in 2006, were shut down and evacuated.
Mobile services were jammed in Connaught Place and Gaffar Market area, the sites of three of the explosions.
Extra personnel have been deployed at religious places, besides keeping an extra vigil on the borders.
Police have asked cyber cafe owners and dealers to be on alert and keep a tab on their customers.
Security has been tightened at all the Metro stations to avoid any untoward situation.
"Security has already been strengthened and frisking and checking of the commuters have been stepped up. The Metro is under constant vigil," a CISF spokesperson said.
He added that the public transport system is already under red-alert and hence security has always been the priority. Extra personnel have been pressed into service to keep a vigil on the commuters.
NEW DELHI: At least five blasts ripped through different parts of the National Capital on Saturday evening between 6:15 PM and 7 PM. At least 18 have been killed and over 100 have been injured. Unconfirmed reports say the casualty figure may be higher. ( Watch )
The blasts took place in the Gaffar Market area of Karol Bagh, two blasts in Connaught Place, and another in Greater Kailash (M-block).
The impact of the blasts in Karol Bagh could be gauged by the fact that an auto was thrown up and got caught in the electrical wires.
According to Delhi Police, two persons were detained from Connaught Place area soon after the blasts.
Police said a boy named Rahul had claimed to have seen the terrorists.
Rahul informed the police that terrorists were travelling in an auto-rickshaw. He also said that the terrorists were clad in black kurta-pyjama.
Security was tightened across the National Capital, with police personnel fanning out in large numbers to railway and Metro stations, hospitals, bus terminals and airport.
Gun-toting security personnel were deployed at sensitive points after explosions in a span of 45 minutes ripped through the city.
Barricades were put up at several places to regulate traffic. There was chaos on the roads as people who were outside rushed back home following the blasts.
Security was stepped up at railway and Metro stations, inter-state bus terminals, airport, cinema halls, shopping malls and other sensitive points.
Several major city markets, including the popular Sarojini Nagar Market which was targeted in the previous Diwali-eve blasts in 2006, were shut down and evacuated.
Mobile services were jammed in Connaught Place and Gaffar Market area, the sites of three of the explosions.
Extra personnel have been deployed at religious places, besides keeping an extra vigil on the borders.
Police have asked cyber cafe owners and dealers to be on alert and keep a tab on their customers.
Security has been tightened at all the Metro stations to avoid any untoward situation.
"Security has already been strengthened and frisking and checking of the commuters have been stepped up. The Metro is under constant vigil," a CISF spokesperson said.
He added that the public transport system is already under red-alert and hence security has always been the priority. Extra personnel have been pressed into service to keep a vigil on the commuters.
Times of India / 13 Sept 2008
manoj, mumbai, says: Bring POTA back, human right is for human not for terrorist.
[13 Sep, 2008 2156hrs IST]
dhiraj saini, mangalore, says: another appeal for calm...what else we can expect from this impotent upa gov ....close all madarsas ...hang the terrorists which have been caught till now ..and look how fast this terrorism stops..
[13 Sep, 2008 2155hrs IST]
VM, Denver, US, says: This country can never ever be safe for its citizens, unless and until the corrupt, and insane politicians are thrown out of office. What the heck is government doing, except for saying the same old sentences in the public ?? The government of India has become a nimbasil. We need a Government that can save the country and its citizens from terrorists.
[13 Sep, 2008 2154hrs IST]
Sam, india, says: Dont mix up terrorism with conversion, till today christians have not taken to terrorism or any sort of anti national activities, we can go on record for that. Christians are more patriotic then any other community in India. What recent atrocities done on christians in Orissa we thank you for that and appreciate the concern of the section of the society and the prudent hindu brothers. Simply making false allegations is not a good practice in an enlightened society, Prove if there is any forced conversion if forced conversion is existing then why is the population of christians not increased in India.
[13 Sep, 2008 2154hrs IST]
gomzee, Bangalore, says: its a sad story on national security ,terrorists are striking at will ,killing innocent people,the ruling party seems to be only interested in protecting its minority vote bank and nothing else .How else Mr Patil can explain his rigid stand against a strong anti terror law?It may win his party a few muslim vote for protecting the jihadi sympathisers ,but he and the PM has certainly has let the nation down,This govt should take cue from USA in fighting terror ,Leave alone hunting terrorists in their backyard , we cant even have strong laws internally .Dear coutrymen some strong individual action needed to fight terror.
[13 Sep, 2008 2154hrs IST]
K.D.Viswanaathan, Coimbatore, India, says: After Jaipur and Ahmedabad, the terrorists have now targeted the capital of the country. That the miscreants have managed to plant bombs in the busy markets of Karol Bagh, Connaught place and Greater Kailash is rather surprising. From the pattern of the attacks, it is seen that the militants lie low for some time after each episode and then launch their further attack yet another major city.It has been wisely said that eternal vigilance is the price we have to pay for preserving the freedom we won through prolonged struggles,sufferings and sacrifices. Besides the measures initiated by the government, we have to be ever vigilant and make it a point to bring it to the notice of the authorities in case we come across some suspicious movements in our neighbourhood. Without full public cooperation, it will be rather difficult to eliminate terrorism.
[13 Sep, 2008 2154hrs IST]
Piyush Todi, Delhi, says: Dear Editor: We are all deply saddened by the recent blasts that have caused such distress in Delhi and the country. I am sure we all know the story and the sensitive subjects around it so I do not want to be redundant. However, there are a few things that we as Indians need to discuss from the people that are leading our country. Why have no steps been taken yet after the Jaipur, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, and Surat blasts. The central government has taken no steps to stop terrorism. The Central government has keenly been busy trying to save their seat so that they can rule for another 5-6 months. Over the past few months, rarely have we seen anything being done to prevent terrorism. All we hear is how much the government is trying to win approval from its coalition partners to run the government. It is quite disgraceful how these politicians care more for their chair than the people that elected them. I recall allegations by our honorable ministers that SIMI should not be banned. Correct me if I am wrong or I misheard that they are the ones responsible for this blast as well. Why are we so lenient towards terrorists under the current government? Since when do we care more about a nuclear agreement than our people? We as Indians need to hold the Central government responsible for all the turmoil that is going on in this country. They should be ashamed of how they are unable to tackle critical issues that we as residents face. The current government has demonstrated how low it will steep to securing votes as the country witnessed during the vote scams recently where prisoners were released so that they could vote in favor of the government. What kind of precedent has this government set for the future of this country. Imagine the signal it must have send to terrorist groups like SIMI. Basically, as per their acts it is telling organizations like SIMI that you can destruct my county but it is fine as long as you get help me stay in power. This is how the central government has been ruling and this is how it will rude. As a citizen, the first and foremost things we desire is our safety. However, if the government cannot provide the basics they should resign and save some face so that we the people do not pass on our bad wishes to them. The current government needs to get rid of its divide and rule mechanism that has worked in their favor for the longest time. The English left in 1947, however, we as a country still have to emerge from their divide and rule policies. We, the people of India need to take a stand against terrorism and the government policies that create terrorism. We, Indian, are a single clan not multiple sects. Together, we can bring the change that will help us outdo any power. Lets work together in throwing out inapt governments and making this a united India.
[13 Sep, 2008 2153hrs IST]
R K Dixit, Shahdol MP India, says: there is distinct possibility of full control over such killings . The responsibility for patrolling particular area should be in the hands of private detectives .
[13 Sep, 2008 2153hrs IST]
