Mumbai blasts: Three blasts rock Mumbai, 21 killed, 141 injured

Terror has struck Mumbai once again killing
at least 21 people and injuring more than
hundred. Two days after the fifth
anniversary of the 7/11 serial bombings,
three explosions rocked the Maximum city
once again.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar
said at least 21 people were killed and over
100 injured in the attacks.The Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed a
terror plot and said that Improvised
Explosive Devices had been used in the
blasts. It had said at least 20 people had
been killed in the attacks and 113 others
injured.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj
Chavan had earlier said thirteen people
were killed and 81 hurt in the attacks. He
said the police officials had reached the
spot, adding he was in constant touch with
Home Minister P. Chidambaram. He
appealed to the Mumbaikars to maintain
calm. The home minister leaves on
Wednesday night for Mumbai.
The MHA said the leads pointed to the Indian
Mujahideen's hands.
Mumbai Police are questioning two IM
members, who had been arrested on
Tuesday. Internal Secretary, Home Ministry,
UK Bansal said the attacks at dense areas
were intended to cause maximum damage.
All the blasts occurred at Mumbai's crowded
market places in the peak rush hour. The
explosions occurred at Zaveri Bazar, Dadar
and Opera House between 6:45PM and 7PM.
The first blast took place in south Mumbai's
Zaveri Bazaar, near the famous Mumbadevi
temple. Four to five cars have been badly
damaged.
The second bomb went off in a taxi in
Dadar's Kabutar Khana area, a stone's throw
distance from Dadar railway station. The
number of that taxi is MH-43 A 9384. Two
people are said to be in the taxi. They have
been injured in the blast. Police have also
recovered a tiffin box from the area.
The third explosion occurred at the Opera
House building next to Pancharatna
Diamond Market. The blast took place in the
Prasad Chamber of the building.
According to JJ Hospital, 10 people have
been brought from the Zaveri Bazar blast
site. One of them has been confirmed dead,
while nine others are seriously injured.
All mobile networks have been jammed in
the blast areas.
While Chidambaram chaired a high-level
meeting in Delhi, Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh spoke to Chavan to stock of the
situation.
Chidambaram said all the injured had been
evacuated. "The explosions took place
within minutes of each other, hinting at the
co-ordinated terror attacks," he said,
appealing for calm. He said the Home
Ministry will issue statements on every two
hours.
Mumbai Police Commissioner Arup Patnaik,
on being asked if it was a terror attack, said,
"I believe so."
Union Home Secretary Raj Kumar Singh has
spoken to the DGP of Maharashtra. An NIA
team has been rushed to Mumbai for probe
into the serial blasts.
Bomb investigation unit of the NSG and a
forensic team of CFSL are also being sent to
Mumbai. High alert has been sounded in 14
cities including Delhi, with Delhi Police
spokesperson saying, "We are keeping eye
on the situation in Mumbai." The quick
reaction team of the Army has been put on
standby.
Maharashtra PWD Minister Chhagan Bhujbal
advised people to stay indoors.