The Union Home Ministry on Tuesday night sounded a nation-wide alert following the serial bomb blasts in Jaipur killing over two dozen and injuring scores. ''The Home Ministry is keeping a close watch on the situation in the Pink City,'' a senior MHA official said, adding that an alert has been sounded in all states.

Senior Home Ministry officials, including Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta, immediately got in touch with the state government and asked them to beef up security arrangements.

Terrorists set off six bomb blasts at crowded markets in the Walled City within a span of ten minutes killing and wounding several people.

MHA spokesman said Home Minister Shivraj Patil, who was on a two-day visit to Northeast, condemned the blasts. He was also in touch with his ministry officials.

Bomb data squad of the elite National Security Guards has been rushed to the Pink City.

High alert in Delhi

Security has been beefed up at sensitive points in the national capital, especially at the Metro stations and crowded market places.

''An alert has been sounded in the wake of the series of blasts in Jaipur,'' Delhi Police spokesman Rajan Bhagat said.

Additional police personnel were deployed along with bomb disposal squads at Delhi Metro stations, railway stations and inter-state bus terminals.

''An extra security cover has been extended to all the religious places, including the Jama Masjid, Akshardham and Iskcon temples,'' the spokesman said.

Police erected road barricades at various intersections and sniffer dogs were deployed at railway stations. Metal detectors were in place at entry points in busy markets and security agencies were keeping a close watch over all VIP areas.

In Jaipur, at least six people were feared dead and 10 injured in a series of blasts at Johri Bazar, Tripolia Bazar, Manik Chowk, and Hunuman Mandir in Sanganeri Gate area of the city.

Haryana on red alert

The Haryana government on Tuesday sounded a red alert in the wake of multiple explosions in Jaipur.

Haryana Police Chief RS Dalal said the red alert has been sound as a precautionary measure.

In Punjab, all district police chiefs have been directed by state Police Chief NPS Aulakh to step up vigil.

Vigil in AP

Andhra Pradesh police have stepped up vigil in the city following serial blasts in
Jaipur.

Deployment of policemen at sensitive places has been enhanced and various measures including frisking, checking intensified, police said.

The police were taking precautions also in view of the first anniversary of the Mecca masjid blast on May 17.

Vigil has been stepped up at public places including railway stations, bus depots and places of worship.

Alert in West Bengal

An alert was sounded in West Bengal on Tuesday in view of the serial blasts at Jaipur this evening.

''We have sounded an alert and police deployment has been increased at important installations including railway stations, airports and markets,'' IGP (Law and Order) Raj Kanojia said.

Vigil has also been increased at all public places, he added.