Mumbai Police personnel. Representative image
Credit: PTI Photo
Mumbai: A high alert has been issued in Maharashtra following a blast in a car parked near the Red Fort metro station in New Delhi on Monday evening, and security has been beefed up at vital installations, police said.
A senior police officer said a "precautionary alert" has been issued for Mumbai.
"All the unit commanders at the district level in Maharashtra and commissioners of cities have been instructed to remain alert to avoid any untoward incidents", a police official said.
Police are maintaining a strong vigil and stepped up security at important places and vital installations in the state and Mumbai, the official said.
A high-intensity explosion ripped through a car parked near the Red Fort metro station on Monday evening, gutting several vehicles and killing at least eight people, officials said.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is also the state Home Minister, spoke to Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla and Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharati and reviewed the emerging situation.
Security was beefed up across the railway terminus including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus on the Central Railway, Mumbai Central and Bandra Terminus in Western Railway, all the suburban stations, bus depots and tourism spots.
The Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad has been put on high alert.
Sniffer dogs have been pressed into service at sensitive locations across the metropolis.
Security arrangements were also seen at the iconic Gateway of India and Marine Drive.
Twenty-four people were injured in the explosion that occurred on a busy evening when the area was teeming with people. The injured were taken to the LNJP hospital a few kilometres away.