Surat beefs up security after Mumbai blasts

Police in Surat on Wednesday evening sprung into action following the serial blasts in Mumbai. To prevent any untoward incident, they have increased checks and the level of patrolling.
Railway police commenced intensive checking at the railway station and adjoining areas. A high alert was been declared in south Gujarat region.

High alert orders were issued immediately after the news of the Mumbai serial blasts broke. These orders were issued to the respective police departments from Gandhinagar. As per directives, Surat police increased their vigilance at important traffic points and other sensitive areas in the city. All suspicious activity was inspected.

People were taken aback by the unexpected police checks as most of them were unaware of the blasts in Mumbai.

"There is an alert and we are taking precautions to prevent any untoward incident here. We are keeping a watch on activities and movements that seem suspicious. Every doubtful object is being checked," said a top official requesting anonymity. Like Surat, Valsad, which is close to Mumbai, has also been put on high alert.

The distance between Umergaon, last town of Valsad district and Boisar (in Maharashtra) is less than 60 km. Valsad is well connected to Mumbai by road and rail and thus it needs to be stringently secured. Following the blasts, the railway police immediately began checking all trains coming from Mumbai.

Sniffer dogs were used to trace unclaimed objects inside the compartments. "After each terrorist activity high alert is declared in which cops initiate hunt for criminals, who have past records.

“We have issued orders to concerned police stations to initiate hunt for criminals," said Rakesh Asthana, police commissioner of Surat. He further added that leave of all police officials have been cancelled following alert.