The Interior Ministry said it asked all state governments to deploy additional security forces at religious places in the wake of recent bomb blasts in Ajmer and Ludhiana cities. Intelligence agencies have also informed the government of Maharashtra state, of which Mumbai is the capital, that terrorists may strike at famous religious places such as the Haji Ali Dargah -- revered by Muslims and Hindus -- and the Siddhi Vinayak temple.

The state government has decided to deploy armed commandos from the State Reserve Police Force at religious places across the city, a state government spokesman said.

State Finance Minister Jayant Patil called a meeting of Hindu and Muslim religious leaders to discuss security arrangements. He said the participants assured him they would cooperate with the government on security.