Bhubaneswar/Cuttack, Sept. 7: The state was put on high alert with security beefed up at vital installations in the wake of the explosion outside Delhi High Court that killed 10 persons and left many others injured.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik condemned the attack. “My deepest condolence to the family members of those who died in the terrible and tragic attack of the terrorists. The most stringent punishment should be meted out to the criminals,” he said.

Security was particularly tight at Sri Jagannath Temple in Puri and Sun Temple at Konark. These temples are considered among the most sensitive and easy targets for the terrorists.

Home secretary U.N. Behera said: “High alert has been sounded in all the districts and cities.” Director general of police Manmohan Praharaj said close watch would be kept on persons moving in suspicious manner apart from specific security being provided to vital installations. “The security at the high court has also been beefed up,” he said.

Dog squads and bomb disposal squads have been pressed into service outside the Jagannath temple, which is visited by thousands of pilgrims and tourists everyday. Puri superintendent of police Amitendranath Sinha said: “Additional forces have been deployed at the temple. All visitors to the temple are being frisked.”

Praveen Kumar, deputy commissioner of police, Cuttack, said: “We have made separate security arrangements for the high court. At the same time, deployment of personnel from the State Armed Police Force is being reviewed at regular intervals. Deployment of armed personnel at the high court was reviewed today and additional measures were taken,” Kumar told The Telegraph, while refusing to give further details citing security reasons.