MUMBAI, July 13: Indian police have detained about 350 people in connection with the Tuesday’s Mumbai train bombings, as the government vowed to wipe out terrorism and catch those behind the carnage.

The detentions came as a man claiming to represent Al Qaeda reportedly claimed on Thursday that the network had set up a wing in Kashmir.

The government issued a statement after a cabinet meeting, saying it was committed to combating terrorism in the wake of the explosions.

“Nothing will deter us from our firm policy to fight this menace till it is wiped out. We are determined to apprehend and bring to justice all those responsible for the evil acts in Mumbai,” it said.

Most of the 350 detentions were made overnight in Malwani suburb, said police Inspector S. Goshal. He said none of them has been formally arrested or charged, and they were rounded up for questioning.

Mumbai Police Commissioner A.N. Roy confirmed that a large number of people had been detained but refused to give an exact figure. He said those rounded up included known thugs, gangsters and trouble makers, who might have information about the culprits.

Kashmir’s Current News Service reported that it received a telephone call from a man who identified himself as Abu Al Hadeed, saying: “Today a unit of Al Qaeda has been established in Jammu and Kashmir which shall henceforth be called Al Qaeda Jammu and Kashmir.”

He praised the bombings. “Whosoever has carried out the attacks in Mumbai, we express our gratitude and happiness,” he said. He appealed to Indian Muslims to take up Jihad against the government.—AP