After coordinated bomb attacks on commuter trains on Tuesday in Mumbai -- the city of 16 million formerly known as Bombay -- the number of victims continues to rise. Indian police have confirmed at least 190 dead and 625 injured. During the evening rush hour, seven bombs ripped apart five packed commuter trains and two stations. An eighth bomb was diffused later. They were the worst attacks in Mumbai since 1993 when more than 270 people were killed by a series of bombs.

The explosions, which detonated almost simultaneously, tore carriages to pieces. In one of the city's packed hospitals a doctor reported some of the injured had lost limbs as a result of the explosions and that many victims had lost a lot of blood. Television images showed bloodied commuters and survivors desperately trying to reach their friends and relatives by cell phone.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh blamed terrorists for the attacks and announced an emergency cabinet meeting. Mumbai, the Indian capital New Delhi and other large cities were placed on high alert as the search for the culprits continues.

For the time being nobody has claimed responsibility for the attacks. The Indian ministry of the interior is examining whether the bombings might be linked to attacks in the Indian part of Kashmir, for which Pakistani police have held Islamist terror group Lashkar-e-Toiba responsible.

In calls to the Indian media a spokesman for Lashkar-e-Toiba denied a role in the Mumbai attacks. But security experts point out that Lashkar-e-Toiba has committed ever more serious attacks in India. Prime Minister Singh reassured his people the government would do everything in its power to punish those responsible.

After a crisis meeting with Interior Minister Shivraj Patil and security chiefs Singh urged calm. "We will work to defeat the evil designs of terrorists and will not allow them to succeed,'' he said. The government would take all "possible measures" to secure law and order, he added.

Kashmir violence

In Srinagar in Indian Kashmir eight tourists were also killed Tuesday in a grenade attack and 35 people were injured. Islamic rebels fighting for Kashmiri independence from India were held responsible for the attacks. The Indian government has blamed Muslim fundamentalists from the contested region of Kashmir for previous attacks.

In addition to Mumbai and the Indian capital New Delhi the alert status was raised in Kashmir, Punjab and in the heavily populated state of Uttar Pradesh. Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore and Calcutta airports were patrolled by paramilitary troops. The civil airspace authority announced tougher controls. In New Delhi police set up road blocks and searched hotels and guesthouses.

Governments and world leaders, including neighboring Pakistan -- which contests sovereignty over Kashmir with India -- have condemned the attacks. Pakistan's Foreign Minister Kurshid Kasuri said his government "strongly condemns the terrorist acts".