Surat/Ahmedabad, July 27
After Bangalore and Ahmedabad, the diamond city of Surat today came under the terrorists’ scanner with two cars stuffed with explosives being found, a live bomb defused and a SIMI activist arrested in connection with the serial blasts in Ahmedabad, where the death toll has mounted to 49.

A live bomb was defused near a hospital and two cars stuffed with explosives were found in and on the outskirts of the city today, sparking a high security alert. A car laden with explosives was seized from Punagam area on the outskirts of Surat city, police inspector M.R. Chavda said. The car, bearing the number plate GJ-6-CD 3569, was found stuffed with powder materials, gelatin sticks and shrapnels. Vadodara police commissioner Rakesh Asthana said the registration number of the car was also fake.

Later in the evening, the police found another car laden with explosives at Heerabagh locality of Surat city, police commissioner R.M.S Brar said. Police also found a live bomb near a hospital in New Citylight area of Surat after some residents gave the information. In addition, a wooden box containing white powder, wires, a battery and shrapnels was found abandoned near Nupur hospital in the New Citylight area. The explosives were later defused.

Even Ahmedabad remained on the edge, with a live bomb found in a garbage can in Amraiwadi area. A bomb detection squad later defused it. The Army staged flag marches in vulnerable areas of the city to instil confidence among the shaken residents.