INDIAN BORDER STATE OF PUNJAB BOOSTS SECURITY MEASURES AFTER NEW DELHI BLAST - REPORTS

MOSCOW, Nov 11 (Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti) -- The Indian state of Punjab, bordering Pakistan, has strengthened security measures following a car explosion in New Delhi, Sputnik/RIA Novosti reported, citing the Hindu newspaper.

"Police chiefs and superintendents have been ordered to remain on high alert, police officers have been deployed to vulnerable areas of the border, checks of vehicles and suspicious persons have also been intensified," local police said, as quoted by the newspaper.

According to the Hindu, the police in the Indian state of Haryana, located next to Punjab, have also been put on high alert.

Police officers are checking public transport, parking areas, hotels, and vehicles at the state borders.

Earlier, NDTV reported that Indian police had detained the owner of the car that exploded on Monday evening in New Delhi.

According to updated information, the explosion occurred near entrance No. 1 of the Red Fort (Lal Quila) metro station in Delhi at 6.55 pm (13:25 GMT).

As a result of the explosion, several cars nearby caught fire and were damaged. About 15 fire engines were sent to the scene, and the police cordoned off the entire area. Traffic in the area is restricted.

According to the latest data, 11 people were injured and 13 killed. The nature of the explosion is still unknown.

Following the explosion, the New Delhi authorities declared a state of heightened alert in the capital.

The Red Fort is located in the Old Delhi area and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city.

--BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI