Serial blasts strike Mumbai's suburban rail network; more than 100 dead

MUMBAI - A series of explosions ripped across Mumbai's suburban rail network Tuesday evening killing more than 100 people according to the latest reports. The blasts, which occurred in space of 30 minutes, hit the evening rush hour when commuters travel home after work. These blasts occurred at Matunga, Mahim (central Mumbai), Bandra, Khar (in north-west Mumbai), Borivili, Jogeshwari and Mira Road railway stations (in north Mumbai).

Police Commissioner A N Roy said the blasts appeared to be coordinated and the police control rooms were reporting that more than 400 people are injured. He added that "there are more casualty reports coming in." Pranay Prabhakar, the spokesman for the Western Railway, said seven blasts had so far been reported between 1800 to 1830 hrs IST. The first blast hit the railway station in the northwestern suburb of Khar. All blasts appeared to target first class compartments. As bombs exploded, passengers were hurled onto tracks and most of them began jostling to get out resulting in chaos. All train services were suspended following the initial reports.

Police advised residents to stay at home and not venture out. At any cost stay away from the railway stations, seems to be the message. These blasts took place within hours after Islamic militants stuck in Kashmir killing eight people in Srinagar.

All major cities in the country are on high alert following the attacks. "We have a fair number of casualties, 20 dead bodies have reached the KM Hospital, there are more casualties. The city is on high alert," A.N. Roy, the Bombay police commissioner said.

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