19th bomb found in Surat, Modi announces Rs 51 lakh for blast related information

Surat, July 30 : As Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today visited Surat to take stock of the security situation here, another live bomb has been found in the city.

According to latest reports, the bomb has been spotted in the Baroda Prestige area in Varacha by local residents.

Modi announced a reward of Rs 51 lakh for information leading to terrorists involved in the serial blasts in Ahmedabad and planting of bombs in Surat.

He said, "We are fighting a war against terror and we will deal with it with utmost strictness."

"Terrorism is a proxy war. Centre and State need to unite to fight against terror", added Modi.

Modi was accompanied by Food and Civil Supplies Minister Narottam Patel and Gujarat Police Chief P C Pande.

He held a meeting with top police officials of the city after taking stock of the security situation.

Surat Administration has ordered a full day closure of schools, colleges, parks, malls and cinema halls in the city a day after 18 bombs were defused from different places here.

Diamond and textile units are also likely to remain closed.

The administration has tightened the security in the wake of deadly serial blasts in Ahmedabad and Bangalore and the recovery of bombs from residential areas which are usually crowded.

Yesterday, the bombs were found in and around Varacha area, where most of the diamond polishing units of the South Gujarat city are located.

Surat accounts for 80 percent of the world's diamond polishing business.

Three bombs each were found from Gajera Circle, Mini Diamond Market, Varacha-Kapodra flyover, two each from Heerabaug, Bhavani Circle and one each from Mahidarpura, Sardar Choki, Labheshwar Police Chowki, Santoshinagar and Matavadi.

Forensic experts reportedly said the 18 bombs did not explode because of faulty integrated circuits.

Surat Police Commissioner R M S Brar has asked people to remain on alert.

"I request people to be more alert and immediately inform the police if they find any suspicious material," Brar appealed. He also advised the people to remain indoors.

The bombs recovered yesterday were of low intensity but police have not clarified whether they had timer device or not.

The police yesterday detained four persons from Maharashtra and seized maps of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Punjab and some materials written in Urdu.

Surendranagar District Superintendent of Police Ashok Yadav identified the four as Tariq Ahmed Sheikh, Imrankhan Mohammadkhan, Vazir Khan Pathan and Hakimshah Fakir, police said.

ANI