A first class bogie of a suburban train ripped apart in a bomb blast at Mahim, Mumbai, on Tuesday evening. Photo: PTI

Mumbai, July 11 (PTI): At least 140 people were killed and 257 injured in a string of seven terror blasts that tore through first class compartments of suburban trains around 6 p.m during the evening peak hour traffic here today.

As the blasts ripped apart train compartments, mangled bodies of passengers fell on the tracks and survivors, many of them bleeding profusely, jostled to come out leading to chaotic scenes.

The blasts occured between 6 p.m and 6.30 p.m at Mahim, Bandra, Matunga, Borivili, Mira Road, Jogeshwari and Khar when people from offices were returning home.

Maharashtra Chief Secretary, D K Shankaran, put the number of death at 138 and the injured 257.

Hospital authorities in the city have confirmed arrival of over 100 bodies by 8:30 pm. A large number of injured, including commuters of the blasts-hit trains, were admitted to various government and private hospitals in various parts of the city.

Mumbai Police Chief, A N Roy, said "we are busy with rescue operations. Our first priority is to rescue the injured,'' he said. However, heavy monsoon downpours were hampering the effort.

AP Reports: Police were also reportedly carrying out raids across the country following the explosions, presumably in search of suspects. A television report said a suspect was in custody.

A senior Mumbai police official, P S Pasricha, said the explosions were part of a well-coordinated attack. The country's Home Minister said over television that authorities had information that an attack was coming, but did not know the time or place.

Witnesses reported seeing body parts strewn about stations, and television news channels broadcast footage of bystanders carrying victims to ambulances and searching through the wreckage for survivors and bodies. Some of the injured were seen frantically dialing their cell phones.

The force of the blasts ripped doors and windows off carriages, and luggage and debris were strewn about, splattered with blood. Survivors were seen clutching bloody bandages to their heads and faces. Some were able to get up and walk from the station on their own.

Pranay Prabhakar, the spokesman for the Western Railway, confirmed that seven blasts had taken place. He said all trains had been suspended in Mumbai, and he appealed to the public to stay away from the train stations of the city of 16 million, India's financial and commercial center and principal port on the Arabian sea.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for what appeared to be bombings, but the blasts came in quick succession - a common tactic employed by Kashmiri militants.

The first explosion hit the train at a railway station in the northwestern suburb of Khar, said a police officer who spoke on conditions of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.

India's CNN-IBN television news, which had a reporter travelling on the train, said the blast took place in a first-class car as the train was moving, ripping through the compartment and killing more than a dozen people.

The Press Trust of India, citing railway officials, said all the blasts had hit first-class cars.

All of India's major cities were reportedly on high alert following the attacks, which came hours after a series of grenade attacks by Islamic extremists killed eight people in the main city of India's part of Kashmir.

Kashmir was divided between India and Pakistan in war after they gained independence from Britain in 1947, and they fought another full-scale conflict over the region in 1965.

Dozens of militant groups have been fighting Indian rule in Kashmir, demanding the mostly Muslim region's independence, or its merger with Pakistan.

India accuses Pakistan of aiding the militants, who run training camps on Pakistan's part of Kashmir. Pakistan denies the charge.

After coming close to fighting a fourth war in 2002, Pakistan and India embarked on a peace process aimed at resolving their differences, including their conflicting claims to all of Jammu-Kashmir.

Sonia, Lalu, Patil rush to Mumbai

Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad will leave for Mumbai tonight for an on-the-spot review of the situation in the wake of the serial blasts.

The decision was announced by Patil after an hour-long emergency meeting convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at his Race Course Road residence here.

PTI reports adds: A PTI correspondent, who was waiting to catch a train at Santacruz railway station, saw an explosion in a train that was about to enter the station.

He reported that at least 25 people were injured in the blast that took place in the first class compartment.

Sudden heavy rains after an hour of the explosions made the job of rescuers more difficult.

At Matunga station, the blast was so powerful that it not only ripped through the first class coach, but also blew off a portion of the platform shed.

Confusion and fear prevailed among train commuters at all Western Railway stations as thousands could not make way to homes due to suspension of train services on the western line.

Passengers were asked to use central railway lines, that are functional, and BEST buses to reach their destinations.

However, passengers in a frenzy caught hold of any available four-wheeler, sometimes by force, at Churchgate station and other stations to leave the place.

Red alert in Maharashtra: CM

A red alert has been sounded in the state, Deshmukh said after reviewing security measures in the city and state.

Mumbai Police have been placed on alert following the attacks, he said.

Deshmukh appealed to people to maintain calm and not venture out unless required.

Stay calm, says Police Commissioner

Mumbai Police Commissioner, A N Roy, asserting that the first priority was to rescue the injured and rushing them to hospitals. Security has been tightened to see that nothing untoward takes place following the explosions.

"Our priority is also to ensure that nothing untoward takes place as a result of the blast," Roy told reporters here today.

Efforts were also being taken to run extra buses along the Western Railway route so that people could reach home. Western Railway route commuters could also take the Central Railway route to go home.

He asked people to stay calm and not to go by any rumours.

To a question Roy said obviously a terrorist outfit would be behind the blasts because a normal human being could not have done this.

He said extra forces have been deployed to ensure that no more incidents take place. Special arrangements were being made to transport people following the suspension of trains on the Western Railway route.

He again appealed to people not to go by rumours but help police in maintaining calm.

Centre keeping close watch on Mumbai situation

The Centre is in constant touch with the Maharashtra Government in the wake of the serial blasts in suburban trains in Mumbai today and is closely monitoring the situation in the metropolis.

"We are closely watching the situation and gathering all information from railways and authorities in Mumbai," a senior Home Ministry official said and reiterated the Government's determination to fight terrorism.

Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil, is in touch with Chief Minister, Vilasrao Deshmukh.

A series of blasts took place at Matunga, Khar, Santacruz, Jogeshwari, Borivali and Bhayendar suburban railway stations earlier today.

We will defeat evil designs of terrorists: PM

In New Delhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tonight reviewed the security situation in the aftermath of blasts in Mumbai and Srinagar after which he expressed the government's resolve to "fight and defeat the evil designs of terrorists."

He appealed to the people to maintain calm in the face of terror attacks in Mumbai and Srinagar after an emergency meeting at his residence with Home Minister Shivraj Patil and others.

"We will work to defeat the evil designs of terrorists and will not allow them to succeed," Singh said in a statement read out by Patil after the meeting which was also attended by National Security Advisor M K Narayanan, Home Secretary V K Duggal and IB Chief E S L Narasimham.

He appealed to the people to remain calm and not to believe in rumours but carry out their activities normally. "The government will take all possible measures to maintain law and order and defeat the forces of terrorism."

Security at all major airports tightened

Security at all airports across the country was beefed up tonight following the synchronised serial blasts in running trains in Mumbai.

Quick reaction teams of paramilitary forces have been deployed at major airports, especially in Mumbai, Delhi and other metros, official sources said here.

The number of CISF personnel on duty at major airports have also been increased, they said.

The sources said the personnel on duty have been asked to take all precautions and conduct all necessary security checks at the airports.

However, they said flight operations would not be affected by the heightened security measures.

Shiva Sena demands resignation of DF Govt.

Shiv Sena today demanded resignation of the Vilasrao Deshmukh-led DF government in Maharashtra for "its utter failure to maintain law and order in the state which is evident from inability to avert this evening's serial blasts."

"This government has no right to remain in power even for a moment. The government's incompetence is solely responsible for today's incident," Sena executive president, Uddhav Thackeray, said.

"When the spontaneous reaction was there to desecration of late Meenatai Thackeray bust, the government blamed it on Shiv Sainiks. It should now tell us who is resonsible for today's incident," he said.

CII expresses shock

Apex industry chamber CII expressed shock at the bomb blasts that rocked Mumbai this evening and expressed hope that calm and peace will prevail over the city.

CII said it was "shocked and grieved at the bomb blasts."

"We pray for calm and peace and hope that the perpetrators will be brought to book," the Chamber said.