2006 Mumbai train bombings
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The 11 July Mumbai bombings were a series of seven[1] bomb blasts that took place on the Mumbai Suburban Railway on 11 July 2006. The blasts occurred at the peak commuting hours when millions of commuters in Mumbai were returning home after office hours. The first blast took place at 18:30 IST (13:00 UTC). The casualties and the injuries are yet to be quantified. According to police, the explosions took place on the Western Railway line, at or near the Matunga, Khar Road, Santacruz, Jogeshwari, Borivali and Bhayandar suburban railway stations.[2][3]. All of the blasts took place in the first-class compartments of the affected trains.[3]
An initial report published in the online version of the Jerusalem Post [1] indicated at least 15 killed and hundreds wounded in these blasts. The report further stated, "the Press Trust of India news agency reported six blasts along the city's commuter rail network, which is among the most crowded in the world." The Associated Press [2] reports that at least 20 are dead. The Times Now channel [3] reports that 30 are dead. MSNBC [4] reports that 40 are dead. Police control has reported 63 passengers have been killed.Rediff
The government has declared high alert in major cities of India, including the capital, New Delhi. Mumbai Airport has also been placed on high alert and commuter trains to the suburbs have been halted.[4] These bomb attacks in Mumbai came hours after a series of grenade attacks in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir. In Srinagar eight persons are reported to have been killed in the attacks believed to be carried out unidentified Islamic extremists.
Although no-one has claimed responsability as of yet, there is much speculation that the attacks were carried out by Islamic extremists.
Official response
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has condemned the blasts and appealed for calm. A state of high alert was declared in India's major cities.
| 11 July 2006 Mumbai Train Blasts Casualties | |||
| Place | Deaths | Injured | Sources |
| Borivali | 3 | 12 | |
| Khar Road | 2 | 14 | |
| Jogeshwari | 3 | 16 | |
| Matunga | 2 | 23 | |
| Bhayandar | 3 | 27 | |
| Santacruz | 2 | 39 | |
Notes
- ^ Dozens killed as at least 7 explosions rock commuter trains in Mumbia, India, 570News, 11 July 2006
- ^ Blasts rock Mumbai rail network, BBC News
- ^ a b Tuesday terror: Six blasts rock Mumbai railway stations, Times of India
- ^ India's Commercial Hub Mumbai Rocked by 5 Explosions (Update2), Bloomberg, 11 July 2006
External links
- Blasts rock Mumbai rail network (BBC)
- Explosion hits train in India (MSN)
- (Associated Press)
- (Reuters)
