New York, Nov 27 (IANS) New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has put the city’s underground metro system on high alert following the horrific terror attack in Mumbai. The decision to put the underground metro system on high alert was taken after New York received reports of potential terrorism threat. Millions of people use the metro system daily.

“Just today, we dealt with an unsubstantiated report of potential terrorism here in New York. This report led the New York Police Department to take precautionary steps to protect our transit system, and we will always do whatever is necessary to keep our city safe,” Bloomberg said in a statement.

A day before the Mumbai attack, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security had warned that there is a “possible but uncorroborated” Al Qaeda threat against the New York transportation system.

Bloomberg said he would be joining the Indian American community Thursday at a prayer service at the Ganesha temple in Queens. New Yorkers, including the hundreds of thousands that trace their roots to that part of the world, stand together and reject the depraved methods of the terrorists, he said.

“Today a horrific series of attacks in Mumbai, India reminded us that there remain dark forces in the world that think killing innocents is a way to advance an agenda,” he said.

Observing that New York is in many ways similar to Mumbai, Bloomberg said it is a wonderfully diverse city that is a leading centre for business, education, science and the arts.

“I extend my deep sympathies to the families of those killed and to those wounded in today’s attacks. Tomorrow, I will join members of New York’s Indian community at the Ganesha Temple in Queens for a prayer service,” he said.