Fres bomb blasts shook the largest city of India, Mumbai, in congested areas during rush hour Wednesday afternoon, killing at least 21 people and wounding more than 100 people.
Prithviraj Chavan, Chief Minister of Maharashtra state, said it was too early to talk about suspects, but at least one of the explosions, apparently coordinated "very powerful". He warned that the death toll could rise.
Indian Home Minister, P. Chidambaram called the explosion of "coordinated terrorist attack" and called for calm Mumbai residents expressed anger at the government because their city has been a repeated target of terror.
"The whole city of Mumbai has been on high alert," said Chidambaram, who inspected the site Wednesday night and early Thursday and saw the wounded to a hospital. "I appeal to the people of Mumbai to remain calm and maintain peace."
The minister is expected to provide an update on the investigation in mid-morning Thursday.
Clinton condemns Mumbai attacks Higher security after deadly blasts in Mumbai Mumbai Blasts
RELATED TOPICS
India
Mumbai
2008 Mumbai attacks
Kolkata
New Delhi
The attacks brought back memories unforgettable Wednesday in a city that has experienced before, including the massive assault by gunmen in Pakistan that killed 164 people in November 2008.
Forensic experts and security forces with sniffer dogs pored over the bloody scenes in search of evidence. Dazed survivors were comforted and police hosed down the burning of waste on the streets.
Mumbai police commissioner Arup Patnaik said in one scene, an explosive device was placed in an umbrella near a motorcycle.
Station CNN, CNN-IBN's sister reported at least 113 people were injured.
The blasts occurred within minutes of each other in the areas of Opera, the Zaveri Bazaar and Dadar, all the malls were busy crowded during rush hour in the afternoon.
"Bombay is a priority," Chavan said India's financial capital. "The terrorists, of course, an attack where it hurts."
He said Mumbai was better prepared than in the past, but the "wow factor on the side of that attack."
The area is close to Dadar railway station used by millions of travelers. On July 11, 2006, a series of seven explosions killed at least 174 people in the crowded Mumbai commuter train and stations.
The Security Council condemned the terrorist attacks. The United States offered its "full support and assistance to India" and was monitoring the situation, the State Department.
U.S. President Barack Obama, who visited Mumbai last year and signed a condolence book for victims of the attack in 2008, condemned Wednesday's attack.
"I strongly condemn the appalling attacks in Mumbai and my thoughts and prayers are with the injured and those who have lost loved ones," Obama said in a statement.
"The U.S. government is closely monitoring the situation, including safety and security of our citizens. During my trip to Mumbai, I saw firsthand the strength and resilience of the Indian peoples, and I have no doubt that India will overcome these appalling terrorist attacks. "
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will travel to New Delhi and Chennai next week, but his spokesman said there were no immediate plans to change their travel plans.Clinton "will have an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the US-India alliance when he travels there next week," said Mark Toner.
As in previous attacks, attacks aimed Wednesday congested areas. Mumbai police blamed improvised bombs and told the sister of CNN, CNN-IBN who was in a car, another on a motorcycle.
"The sound was deafening," said Hemant Mehta, who was in the area of the Opera House, close to a diamond market that serves as the epicenter of the small city's economy. "People panicked and ran. Words are inadequate to describe (the scene)."
Mehta asked senior officials to protect the citizens of the city.
Chavan said the blast at the Opera House was the most powerful.
Zaveri Bazar is near a Hindu temple, where some people were wounded, police in Mumbai Nisar Tamboli representative, told CNN-IBN. Zaveri Bazaar was a scene of a double bombing in 2003 that killed 54 people and the area was also attacked in the 1993 bombings that left 257 dead.
Wednesday's attack was the first since 2008, the terrorist siege on the central railway station, two luxury hotels and a Jewish cultural center. Mumbaikars said the aim of such congested areas means that the explosions were intended to cause many casualties.
The authorities also issued warnings of high security for the Indian capital, New Delhi and the eastern city of Kolkata, CNN-IBN reported.
Witnesses told CNN-IBN their windowpanes shook and he heard the thundering boom of explosions. Workers who had not left their offices are advised not to venture out.

Comment: i think that this city have so much problems to see, and they dont hace to be in this type of problems that doesent benefit to anyone. They better take a look of what is pasind with them and have a better police departmen at all