Maharashtra issues high alert, tightens security in Mumbai and transport hubs

A high alert has been issued in Maharashtra following a blast in a car near the Red Fort metro station in New Delhi and security has been stepped up at vital installations in Mumbai and major railway stations police said reported news agency PTIA precautionary alert has been issued for Mumbai a senior police official said on MondayThe explosion in a slowmoving vehicle near the Red Fort crossing on Monday evening left nine persons dead and 20 injured while gutting several vehiclesAll the unit commanders at the district level in Maharashtra and commissioners of cities have been instructed to remain alert to avoid any untoward incidents a police official said reported PTIPolice were maintaining a strong vigil and stepped up security at important places and vital installations in the state and Mumbai the official saidGovernment Railway Police GRP and Railway Protection Force RPF have intensified patrolling at major railway stations including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Dadar Thane and Kalyan another official said reported PTIDog squads and bomb detection and disposal teams have also been pressed into service to identify suspicious objects at railway stationsThe railway police have appealed to passengers to travel cautiously and avoid touching unidentified objectsWe are on high alert a senior RPF official told PTI in MumbaiAccording to railway officials security has been tightened at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Dadar Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Thane Kalyan Panvel and other major stations on the Central Railway network and at Churchgate Mumbai Central Bandra Terminus Borivali Vasai and other stations on Western RailwayThe RPF and GRP personnel were conducting checks on platforms and trains Parcels and baggage were being scanned at key stations a Central Railway spokesperson saidAll officials have been alerted a Western Railway spokesperson said adding that RPF was ensuring proper security in coordination with GRP and local policeIn the past terrorist groups had targeted Mumbais stations and suburban trainsMumbai Police conducted combing operations at various places Police personnel were also deployed at the entry points of the city including Dahisar Thane Vashi and Airoli check postsBarricades have been placed on prominent roads and suspicious persons and vehicles are being checkedBesides the Maharashtra AntiTerrorism Squad ATS the ATC AntiTerrorism Cell of each police station was activated to gather more intelligence about suspicious activities in their jurisdiction an official said reported PTIPatrolling and checking of vehicles have been intensified across MaharashtraIn Nagpur police and security agencies stepped up security with ATS and Quick Response Teams QRT patrolling sensitive areas and additional police personnel deployed in crowded places officials said reported PTINagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Kumar Singal said that all DCPs and police station incharges have been asked to remain alert roundtheclock Police deployment has been increased in crowded markets temples schools colleges and major road intersections Railway stations and bus stands are also under strict watch reported PTINagpur Superintendent of Police Rural Dr Harssh Poddar said that patrolling has been increased especially near Ramtek Gad Mandir and explosives factories as these locations are considered sensitive reported PTIPolice and central intelligence agencies were also checking online activity and suspicious movementsWith inputs from PTI