Bomb scare in Indian capital

Sep 8, 2009, 6:58 GMT

   New Delhi - Police in the Indian capital swung into action Tuesday after bomb scares were reported from four places including a hospital, news reports said.

   The police received anonymous calls saying there were bombs at Safdarjang Hospital and the New Delhi Municipal Corporation building, IANS news agency reported.

   The hospital was evacuated for search operations, a police official was quoted as saying.

   Intensive searches were also on at the municipal building in the heart of Delhi, the New Delhi railway station, Palika Kendra in up-market Connaught Place and the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, IANS and NDTV news channel reported.

   Police deployed sniffer-dog squads and bomb disposal teams. Ambulances and fire engines were on standby.

   Authorities said there was no cause for panic but asked people to avoid these places.

   'Only yesterday the office of Commonwealth Games adjacent to the NDMC building was inaugurated. We think it is a mischievous call to create panic,' Delhi assistant commissioner of police Shankar Dass said.

   New Delhi is scheduled to host the Commonwealth Games in 2010.