Bhubaneswar, November 10: In response to the recent powerful explosion in Delhi, a high alert has been declared in seven districts of the Central Range, including Puri, as confirmed by Dr. Satyajit Naik, the DIG of Central Range, Cuttack.

Dr. Naik stated that key sensitive areas such as airports, railway stations, bus stands, and other public spaces will be under heightened security measures. Surveillance will be significantly increased across the region tonight, which includes the districts of Cuttack, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Puri, Nayagarh, and Khurda.

Meanwhile, the Superintendent of Police (SP) in Puri has issued an alert, directing heightened vigilance in crucial areas such as Bada Danda, the Sea Beach, as well as the vicinity of the Shri Jagannath Temple, Railway Station, and Bus Stand. Patrolling has been intensified, and all police officers in charge have been instructed to remain alert.

The security measures are not limited to Puri alone; following the explosion in Delhi, the security at Hirakud Dam has also been stepped up. Sambalpur’s SP has confirmed that security around Hirakud has been fortified, with police conducting checks in crowded areas. Furthermore, a high alert has been declared in Odisha's border regions as a precautionary measure.

The explosion in Delhi, which occurred near the Red Fort, involved a car parked close to a metro station. The blast caused a massive fire, triggering panic in the surrounding areas. The tragic incident has resulted in the deaths of 8 people, with 24 others injured, three of whom are in critical condition. Additionally, a nearby car was also engulfed in flames due to the explosion.

Although the cause of the explosion remains under investigation, emergency response teams, including seven fire brigade vehicles and police personnel, have arrived at the scene. Delhi Police officials, including the DCP and Special Cell officers, are overseeing the situation. Forensic experts are currently working to determine the exact cause of the explosion.