Security alert sounded across country

Security has been beefed up across the country in the wake of the twin blasts in Hyderabad, with special vigil being maintained on shrines, public places and communally-sensitive areas.

A general alert was sounded across Delhi and the police asked to vigorously conduct checks of vehicles.

Security in Karnataka, particularly in the districts bordering Andhra Pradesh, was enhanced in view of the bomb
blasts in Hyderabad.

Hyderabad's additional director general of police (Law and Order) Shankar M Bidari told PTI that the police in districts bordering Andhra Pradesh had been directed to keep a strict vigil and security was strengthened in railway stations and bus terminals.

In Tamil Nadu, special vigil has been kept at bus-stands, airports, railway stations and other places where people move
in large numbers, state director general of police D Mukherjee said.

"Check-posts have been set up in and around Chennai while night vigil stepped up and checking of vehicles is on at all
places, including the entry points of the city," Police Commissioner D Nanchil Kumaran said.

A report from Ahmedabad said an alert was sounded across Gujarat where vigil was stepped up at key places of worship like Somnath, Dwarka and Ambaji temples and communally-sensitive locations.

Security was beefed up all across Rajasthan as well, according to police sources.

A high alert was sounded and security tightened across Maharashtra, including financial capital Mumbai.

"We have specifically asked to maintain extra vigil around vital installations and places of worship," said a police officer, adding that additional check-points would be set up.

Anti-Terrorist Squad chief K P Raghuvanshi told PTI that an ATS team will be leaving for Hyderabad in a day or two
to study and gather details about the explosions.