High alert in Gujarat following blasts in Mumbai

Ahmedabad, Jul 13: Following the blasts in Mumbai this evening, a high alert has been sounded in Gujarat, Minister of state for Home Praful Patel said here.

"High alert has been declared for Gujarat state," Patel told PTI, adding that all security agencies have been alerted.

The minister also called a meeting of top officials to discuss the emerging law and order situation.

Director General of Police Chitranjan Singh said special operations group (SOG) in districts and crime branches in major cities like Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot have been put on alert.

He said Quick Response Teams (QRTs) have been sent to places such as bus stations, railway stations, airport, religious places and other public places.

"Vehicle checking at check posts has been initiated, so has been checking at hotels," Singh said.

Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) chief Ashish Bhatia said they have put their units on alert and have initiated checking at places of entry and exit in the city, especially of those vehicles that are coming from Mumbai.

On July 26, 2008, serial bomb blasts rocked Ahmadabad killing 57 persons and injuring 200 others.

PTI