PM seeks speedy probe into Pune blast

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today reviewed the situation following the Pune blast in which at least nine persons were killed and directed the Union and Maharashtra governments to take coordinated and effective action to speedily investigate the matter.

Singh, who discussed the situation with Home Minister P Chidambaram, directed speedy investigation so that "the culprits responsible for this heinous act are identified and brought to justice at the earliest", a Prime Minister Office (PMO) spokesman said.

Chidambaram briefed the Prime Minister on his visit to Pune and on the state of investigations.

Expressing his deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of all those killed and injured in the incident, Singh announced relief from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of those killed in the terror attack and Rs 1 lakh to those injured.

The Prime Minister said the government would extend whatever help was required by the families of those killed and injured in the incident, the spokesman said.