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Terror has struck Mumbai once again killing

at least 21 people and injuring more than

hundred. Two days after the fifth

anniversary of the 7/11 serial bombings,

three explosions rocked the Maximum city

once again.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar

said at least 21 people were killed and over

100 injured in the attacks.The Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed a

terror plot and said that Improvised

Explosive Devices had been used in the

blasts. It had said at least 20 people had

been killed in the attacks and 113 others

injured.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj

Chavan had earlier said thirteen people

were killed and 81 hurt in the attacks. He

said the police officials had reached the

spot, adding he was in constant touch with

Home Minister P. Chidambaram. He

appealed to the Mumbaikars to maintain

calm. The home minister leaves on

Wednesday night for Mumbai.

The MHA said the leads pointed to the Indian

Mujahideen's hands.

Mumbai Police are questioning two IM

members, who had been arrested on

Tuesday. Internal Secretary, Home Ministry,

UK Bansal said the attacks at dense areas

were intended to cause maximum damage.

All the blasts occurred at Mumbai's crowded

market places in the peak rush hour. The

explosions occurred at Zaveri Bazar, Dadar

and Opera House between 6:45PM and 7PM.

The first blast took place in south Mumbai's

Zaveri Bazaar, near the famous Mumbadevi

temple. Four to five cars have been badly

damaged.

The second bomb went off in a taxi in

Dadar's Kabutar Khana area, a stone's throw

distance from Dadar railway station. The

number of that taxi is MH-43 A 9384. Two

people are said to be in the taxi. They have

been injured in the blast. Police have also

recovered a tiffin box from the area.

The third explosion occurred at the Opera

House building next to Pancharatna

Diamond Market. The blast took place in the

Prasad Chamber of the building.

According to JJ Hospital, 10 people have

been brought from the Zaveri Bazar blast

site. One of them has been confirmed dead,

while nine others are seriously injured.

All mobile networks have been jammed in

the blast areas.

While Chidambaram chaired a high-level

meeting in Delhi, Prime Minister Manmohan

Singh spoke to Chavan to stock of the

situation.

Chidambaram said all the injured had been

evacuated. "The explosions took place

within minutes of each other, hinting at the

co-ordinated terror attacks," he said,

appealing for calm. He said the Home

Ministry will issue statements on every two

hours.

Mumbai Police Commissioner Arup Patnaik,

on being asked if it was a terror attack, said,

"I believe so."

Union Home Secretary Raj Kumar Singh has

spoken to the DGP of Maharashtra. An NIA

team has been rushed to Mumbai for probe

into the serial blasts.

Bomb investigation unit of the NSG and a

forensic team of CFSL are also being sent to

Mumbai. High alert has been sounded in 14

cities including Delhi, with Delhi Police

spokesperson saying, "We are keeping eye

on the situation in Mumbai." The quick

reaction team of the Army has been put on

standby.

Maharashtra PWD Minister Chhagan Bhujbal

advised people to stay indoors.

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