Terror strikes Mumbai again;7 blasts in the city

Mumbai, July 11 (UNI) Terror struck Mumbai on its lifeline -the Western railway -- this evening as seven powerful bomb blasts ripped through suburban trains during peak hours.

Pranay Prabhakar, Chief PRO of Western railway, told reporters that the first blast occurred at 1820 hrs and six more followed within the next 15 to 20 minutes.

Mr Prabhakar said the first bomb blast took place at Matunga followed by Mahim, Bandra, Khar, Jogeshwari, Borivali and Mira Road.

The trains were either on the platforms of the above stations or between the stations.

He said the bombs were planted in first class compartments or in the adjoining compartments on trains going towards Borivali or Virar from Churchgate.

There are reports of a second blast in Borivali but this has not been confirmed. If that is true, then the total number of blasts will go upto eight,'' Mr Prabhakar said.

Mr Prabhakar said all trains on the Western railway have been stopped and passengers have been asked to move out of the railway stations.

He said it was not possible to confirm the number of casaulties or injuries. ''The number of casualties will be high because the trains which left from Churchgate were overcrowded due to the peak hour'', he added.

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