Home Minister chairs high-level meeting to assess security situation

New Delhi, Sept 14 : A day after five serial blasts rocked the national capital Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil chaired a high-level meeting to assess the security situation. National Security Advisor M K Narayanan, Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrashekar, Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta, Director Intelligence Bureau P C Haldar and Delhi Police Commissioner Y S Dadwal attended the meeting.

After the 90-minute meeting, Gupta told reporters, "The meeting was held to review Saturday's incidents on the basis of whatever information is available."

He while declining to divulge what transpired at the meeting, said, "we have discussed various measures that may be needed not only in Delhi but also in other major cities. After each incident you gain experience."

"The government will work on the measures needed in a time-bound manner and try to develop some do's and don'ts as precautionary steps which the Ministry would be advising all states about," said Gupta, and added, "The Ministry is also taking all measures to fill up any kind of gap, strengthening the machinery, the system and processes."

The Home Secretary further said that all matters would be put up at the highest level, wherever necessary, with respect to any particular decision.

At least twenty people have been reportedly killed and 50 injured in five serial bomb blasts in different places in the national capital.

The blasts took place in Karol Bagh's Gaffar market, Connaught Place, Greater Kailash-I and Barakhamba Road in a span of 40-50 minutes. One bomb was defused near high-security area near India Gate.

Indian Mujahideen has claimed responsibility for the blasts.

The blasts at Ghaffar market in Karol Bagh, Connaught Place and Greater Kailash took place in a quick succession, police said.

ANI