New Delhi: Following the blasts during a prayer meeting of Jehovah’s Witnesses at a convention centre in Kerala’s Kalamassery, security has been heightened in both Delhi and Mumbai as a precautionary response.
Security has been heightened in crowded areas of Delhi following recent explosions. Likewise, Mumbai Police has issued a high alert, reinforcing security due to ongoing festivities, upcoming cricket matches, and the Kerala incidents. Moreover security measures at Mumbai’s Chabad House have been increased in response to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
“The Special Cell of the Delhi Police is in constant touch with intelligence agencies and is taking any input seriously. Security arrangements are being made at crowded places,” the Delhi Police said in a statement.
One person was killed, and 36 others sustained injuries during a sequence of explosions at the convention center, occurring shortly after the commencement of a prayer meeting today. The gathering, situated in Kalamassery, approximately 10 kilometers from Kochi, drew nearly 2,000 attendees on this concluding day of a three-day prayer event that commenced on October 27.
The Kerala Police said that an improvised explosive device (IED) was used in the incident and announced the formation of a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the case. According to sources, the explosive device was allegedly concealed within a lunchbox.
Following the series of explosions, Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over the phone. Shah instructed the heads of the NIA and NSG, central agencies focused on counterterrorism, to deploy their specialized teams for an on-site investigation.