Terror returns to US

3 killed, over 140 hurt in two blasts that hit Boston Marathon Devices found at two other locations in city Several major US cities put on high alert Obama describes the act as senseless Boston (PTI): In an apparent terror attack, two bomb explosions ripped through the cheering crowd at the finish line of the popular Boston Marathon on Monday, killing at least three people and injuring over 140. The two blasts occurred within seconds on a sidewalk along the 42-km route of the Boston Marathon, where thousands of people had lined up to cheer up the marathoners. Though there was no clue as to who was behind the explosions, a White House official said they were approaching the blasts as an act of terror. "Any event with multiple explosive devices, as this appears to be, is clearly an act of terror, and will be approached as an act of terror," the official said on condition of anonymity. Hospitals reported at least 144 people are being treated, with at least 17 of them in critical condition and 25 in serious condition. At least eight of the patients are children. Media reports quoted law enforcement sources as saying that the dead included an 8-year-old boy. The authorities also found two devices at two other locations in the city, but they did not explode. Several mega cities in the US, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington, have been put on alert. US President Barack Obama, describing the act as "senseless", affirmed that the perpetrators "will feel the full weight of justice." A Saudi national with a leg wound was under guard at a Boston hospital in connection with the bombings, but investigators cannot say he is involved at this time and he is not in custody, a law enforcement official was quoted by CNN as saying. Media reports also said that police is on the lookout for a "darker-skinned or black male" in connection with the attack. The reports quoted a law enforcement advisory as saying that investigators have warned police to be on the lookout for a "darker-skinned or black male" with a possible foreign accent in connection with the attack. The man was seen with a black backpack and sweatshirt and was trying to get into a restricted area about five minutes before the first explosion near the finish line of the annual Boston marathon, the lookout notice obtained by CNN said. President Obama was briefed on the explosions by Homeland Security adviser Lisa Monaco. Obama said those responsible are yet to be identified, and cautioned that "people should not jump to conclusions before we have all the facts." "But make no mistake, we will get to the bottom of this.