Manmohan Singh likely to address nation in wake of Mumbai blasts

New Delhi, Nov.27 : The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, is expected to address the nation in a couple of hours from now in the wake of Wednesday's night's planned and synchronised terror strikes in Mumbai, which left at least 100 people dead and over 200 injured.

Sources in the Prime Minister's Office were quoted by NDTV as saying that Dr. Singh would address the nation, but only after it was confirmed that the operation to nab the terrorists behind the attacks was over.

Dr. Singh had earlier condemned the serial terrorist attacks in Mumbai and assured the State Government of all cooperation and help.

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, who had rushed to Mumbai in the wee hours to take stock of the situation arising out of the terror attacks along with the Director General of National Security Guards (NSG) J K Dutt, has since returned to the national capital to brief the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister has called an emergency meeting of the Union Cabinet to review the situation in the aftermath of the attacks, and to determine what measures are needed to keep the law and order situation in Mumbai and in other parts of the country under control.

Earlier, Patil described the attack as a conspiracy against India and is said to have discussed the situation with Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and assured him of all help from the centre to combat the situation.

As an immediate measure of help, he directed the rushing of about 200 NSG commandos to Mumbai to help the state police in dealing with the ongoing terrorist crisis in the city.

The Army has also been pressed into service along with Naval commandos and the Rapid Action Force.

"Five columns of the army, NSG as well as navy commandos were rushed to Mumbai immediately after the attacks," a source in the PMO, was quoted as saying.

PMO sources also confirmed that air surveillance has been increased in all over India and vital installations have been put on high alert following the attacks in Mumbai.

ANI

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