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2006 Mumbai train bombings

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File:Mumbai2006.jpg
One of the destroyed carriages (CNN-IBN News)

The 11 July 2006 Mumbai train bombings were a series of eight[1] bomb blasts that took place on the Suburban Railway in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), India's financial center and largest city. An additional bomb was also found, but defused, at the Borivali station. The blasts claimed at least 190 lives, and caused hundreds of injuries.[2]

Details

Map showing the 'Western line' and blast locations.

The bombs were put on trains plying on the western line of the suburban ("local") train network, which form the backbone of the city's transportation network. The first blast took place at 18:24 IST (12:54 UTC), and the explosions continued for approximately eleven minutes, until 18:35[3], during the after-work rush hour. The bombs had been placed in first-class compartments of several trains running from Churchgate, the city-centre end of the western railway line, to the western suburbs of the city. They went off at or in the near vicinity of the suburban railway stations of Matunga Road, Khar Road, Santacruz, Jogeshwari, Mahim, Borivali and Bhayandar, which was the site of two blasts.[4] [5]

These bomb attacks in Mumbai came hours after a series of grenade attacks in Srinagar, the largest city in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Home Secretary V.K. Duggal has said, however, that there is no link between the Srinagar and Mumbai bomb blasts.[6] However, details as to the possible existence of a link are not clear, with conflicting reports emerging as to whether the attacks were committed by the same group, or for that matter, as to the nature of the group that committed the attacks. Home Minister Shivraj Patil told reporters that authorities had "some" information an attack was coming, "but place and time was not known".[7]

Injuries and fatalities

11 July 2006 Mumbai train bombings
Confirmed casualties
Place Time (IST) Deaths Injured Sources
Khar Road 18:24 ? ?
Jogeshwari 18:25 ? ?
Mahim 18:26 ? ?
Mira Road 18:29 ? ?
Matunga Road 18:30 ? ?
Borivali1 18:35 ? ?
Total 174–190 439–460
1 One bomb exploded at this location, but another one was found by police and defused.[3]

The Police Commissioner of Mumbai, Mr A N Roy, indicated more than 100 killed and hundreds wounded in these blasts; he also added that "there have been seven blasts along the city's commuter rail network, which is among the most crowded in the world." The entire Western Railway has been shut down, while services are running on the Central Railway Suburban lines. However, reports as of 1800 UTC state that sections of the Western Railway are resuming partial service with some trains running. The BBC has reported that at least 179 are dead and 485 are injured.[8] MSNBC reports that 190 are dead.[9] Reuters reports that 179 are dead and nearly 700 people are injured.[10] CNN is reporting that at least 174 people are dead and 464 are injured. NDTV lists the number of injured[11] and the dead[12] in its website. Official list of the dead and the injured admitted to different hospitals has been put up by the Mumbai Police.[13]

Response

A state of high alert was declared in India's major cities. Both the airports in Mumbai were placed on high alert. The western line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway network was at first shut down, although some trains resumed service later, and stringent security arrangements, including frisking and searching of commuters, were instituted on the other lines of the network. The city's bus service, the BEST, pressed extra buses into service to transport stranded commuters home.[14]

The Prime Minister also held a security meeting at his residence attended by Home Minister Shivraj Patil, National Security Advisor M K Narayanan, and Home Secretary V K Duggal.

[15]

Resumption of services and return to normality

Rail services were restored on 12 July]]. As a show of investor confidence the Mumbai Stock Exchange rebounded. starting the day with the BSE SENSEX Index up by nearly 1% in morning trade. In a show of resilience, foreign investors have chosen not to panic; the Sensex was up almost 3% at 10,930.09 at the end of the day's trade.

Rescue and relief operations

  • The Indian Railways announced Rs 5,00,000 (approx. US$10,000) compensation and a job to the next of kin of those killed in the serial blasts in Mumbai. The announcements were made by Railways Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav after visiting those injured in the blasts at a hospital in Mumbai.[17]

For comparison, in 2005 India's per capita GDP was US$714.

Help line telephone numbers

Blood Banks

  • K.E.M Hospital Blood Bank

Parel Mumbai 400 012 Ph. 24136051,24131419, 24134977, 24135189, Ext-2016 Fax: 24185678

  • Hinduja National Hospital & Medical Research

Veer Savarkar Road Mumbai 400 016 Ph. 24452222, 24451515, 24447752

  • Cooper Hospital

Vile Parle Ph. 26207254, 26207256, 26207257

  • Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Hospital

Sion, Mumbai 400 022 Ph. 24076381, 24095099 Ext. 535

  • Lilavati Hospital Blood Bank

Bandra Reclamation, Bandra (W) Mumbai 400 050 Ph. 26455891 Ext. 2223

  • Nanavati Hospital Blood Bank

Vile Parle (W) Mumbai 400056 Ph. 26182262, 26182255

  • R. N. Cooper Municipal General Hospital Blood Bank

Juhu Mumbai 400 056 Ph. 26207254,56,57, Ext. 263

  • Indian Red Cross Soc. Blood Bank

Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg Mumbai 400 001 Ph. 22663195, 22663560

  • Breach Candy Hospital and Research Centre

Bulabhai Desai Road Mumbai 400 026 Ph. 23633651,2368 5406

  • Borivali Blood Bank

Vitthal Apt. Near Ram Mandir Borivali (W) Mumbai 400103 Ph. 28010058, 28935219

  • Jaslok Hospital And Research Centre

Dr. G.Deshmukh Marg Mumbai 400 026 Ph. 24939595

  • Sir.J.J Groups of Hospitals Blood Bank

Byculla Mumbal 400 008 Ph. 23739400, 23735555, Ext. 2248

  • Tata Memorial Hospital Blood Bank

Dr. E. Borges Marg, Parel Mumbai 400012 Ph. 24149750, 24161413, 24170000, 24127096

  • Harkisandas Nurottamdas Hospital Blood Bank

Prathana Samaj Mumbai 400 004 Ph. 23884015, 23855555, 23808932

Sources of information

Due to the mobile phone networks being jammed, news channels such as NDTV ran tickertapes with information of injured individuals as well as SMS messages from those who wish to contact their families. [22]

Reports indicated that at around 18:00 UTC on 11 July (midnight in Mumbai), the phone networks were restoring service. The phone network was been completely restored during the night.

Investigation

The New Delhi police in New Delhi's Jungpura area arrested a person who is said to be associated with these bomb blasts; two kilograms of RDX were reportedly found with him.[19] However, no official claim of responsibility has been made.

India's major cities were put on high alert after the blasts. Ahmedabad is also supposed to be the one of the sensitive place and it is on high alert.

At 23:29 IST, the Times of India quoted intelligence sources in New Delhi as being "pretty sure" that the attacks were perpetrated by religious extremists from the Lashkar-e-Toiba and the banned Students Islamic Movement of India militant groups.[23]

Reaction

File:Cnn ibn mumbai.jpg
CNN IBN TV report

Indian reaction

Various senior political figures condemned the attacks, including President Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Railways Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav, and president of the Indian National Congress Sonia Gandhi. L. K. Advani, president of the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, also expressed shock, while saying that the UPA Government was soft on terrorists.[24] The Party Chief of the BJP, Rajnath Singh also condemned the attacks saying, while targeting the government, that "Had POTA not been repealed by the UPA government, the terror groups would not have got encouraged,"[25] The Left Parties also condemned the attacks, calling for a thorough probe into the incident. [26]

International reaction

  •  Afghanistan: President Hamid Karzai said that "Afghans have suffered at the hands of terrorists for many years and understand the pain and suffering that terrorism causes. My thoughts are with the families of the victims and those injured". [27]
  •  Australia: Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said "This senseless slaughter of innocent civilians reinforces the continuing importance of strong international resolve to confront the threat posed by terrorism wherever it threatens our communities." [28] The Prime Minister John Howard also released a statement: "It is a reminder because it has occurred in India, it's a reminder that no country is immune from the possibility of terrorist attacks." [29]
  •  Canada: Minister of Foreign Affairs Peter MacKay described the bombings as "a deplorable act of violence against innocent civilians." and stated that "Canada stands with India in condemning these acts of terror perpetrated by those who value human life less than their own extreme beliefs." [30]
  •  Ireland: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said “The bombings that took place in Mumbai today, which were clearly designed to spread maximum terror among people going about their daily lives, are to be utterly condemned. No cause or grievance can justify attacks such as these on innocent civilians. I wish to extend my sympathy to the people of Mumbai and of India, and to all those who have lost loved ones or suffered injury in these appalling acts of terrorism.”[31]
  •  Pakistan: President Pervez Musharraf, whose country has long feuded with India, condemned the blasts as "a despicable act of terrorism [that] has resulted in the loss of a large number of precious lives." Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz also issued a statement and said that "terrorism is a bane of our times and it must be condemned, rejected and countered effectively and comprehensively." [32]
  •  Romania: The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attacks and stated that they "increase, in a dramatic way, the number of innocent people which have falled victim to the inhuman and condemnable phenomenon of terrorism, which knowns no geographic, ethnic or religious limits." The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mihai-Răzvan Ungureanu, also expressed Romania's solidarity with the Indian people and authorities, and his condoleances to the affected families, while re-affirming his country's contribution to combating terrorism in all its forms.[33]
  •  Russia: President Vladimir Putin said "There is no, and there can be no, justification for a crime of such cynicism and monstrosity. The terrorists guilty of this crime must be severely punished." [27]
  •  South Africa: In a statement broadcast on the national SABC TV network, President Thabo Mbeki said he was confident that Indian authorities would track down the culprits and bring them to justice. [34]
  •  United Kingdom: Prime Minister Tony Blair issued the following statement: "I condemn utterly these brutal and shameful attacks. There can never be any justification for terrorism. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. We stand united with India, as the world's largest democracy who share our values and determination to defeat terrorism in all its forms." [27]
  •  United States: President George W. Bush issued a statement saying that "the United States stands by the people and government of India". [36] The State Department issued a statement stating that they "condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms", calling the attacks "senseless acts of violence designed to strike at those innocent people who were just going about their daily lives". [27][37]
  •  Venezuela: A document issued by the Venezuelan foreign ministry stated: "By expressing their firmest condemnation towards this cowardly attack, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela reiterates its consternation for this brutal tragedy towards the Indian government and people (...) the Venezuelan government and people (...) present their manifestations of grief and condolences to the government and people of India (...) solidarize themselves to the angst and pain surrounding the families of those injured and deceased in such deplorable attempts. With profound stupor we have received the terrible notice of this tragedy that today brings mourning to hundreds of families of Indian, and other nationalities. The Venezuelan government and people make votes for the return of peace (...) to the noble people of Gandhi".[38]

Reaction of Militant Groups

The Lashkar-e-Toiba and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militant groups have condemned the blasts and rejected suggestions that they are behind the attacks. A spokesperson for the Lashkar-e-Toiba group described the bombings as "inhuman" and "barbaric".[39]

Notes and references

  1. ^ "Eight explosions hit train network". The Herald. Retrieved 2006-07-12.
  2. ^ "Mumbai blasts: Death toll rises to 190". 2006-07-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ a b http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/07/11/mumbai.blasts/index.html
  4. ^ "Blasts rock Mumbai rail network". news.bbc.co.uk. 2006-07-10. Retrieved 2006-07-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ "Tuesday terror: Six blasts rock Mumbai railway stations". indiatimes.com. 2006-07-10. Retrieved 2006-07-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ "Serial blasts rock Mumbai, 172 killed". ndtv.com. 2006-07-11. Retrieved 2006-07-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ "Scores dead in Mumbai train bombs". news.bbc.co.uk. 2006-07-10. Retrieved 2006-07-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ Ramola Talwar Badam (2006-07-11). "Death Toll at 179 in India Train Bombings". BBC News. breitbart.com. Retrieved 2006-07-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ "Multiple blasts rock India trains, killing 190". 2006-07-11. Retrieved 2006-07-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ "Mumbai train blasts kills at 179". Reuters. 2006-07-11. Retrieved 2006-07-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ http://www.ndtv.com/homepage/injuredlist.doc
  12. ^ http://www.ndtv.com/homepage/deadlists.xls
  13. ^ http://www.mumbaipolice.org/images/news_cp/1blast/blast.htm
  14. ^ "India's Commercial Hub Mumbai Rocked by 5 Explosions". bloomberg.com. 2006-07-11. Retrieved 2006-07-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ http://www.ndtv.com/breakingnews/frmShowBackground.asp?q_id=46
  16. ^ "Serial blasts rock Mumbai, 172 killed". NDTV. 2006-07-11. Retrieved 2006-07-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  17. ^ "Lalu offers Rs. 5 lakh, railway job to kin of dead". The Hindu. 2006-07-12. Retrieved 2006-07-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ a b c NDTV - Serial blasts rock Mumbai, 146 killed
  19. ^ a b c "Terror Tuesday in Mumbai! At least 140 killed". zeenews.com. 2006-07-11. Retrieved 2006-07-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  20. ^ "7 BLASTS ROCK MUMBAI; 146 DEAD, 403 INJURED". ibnlive.com. 2006-07-11. Retrieved 2006-07-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. ^ a b http://www.karmayog.com/lists/mumgovhospitals.htm
  22. ^ "Mumbia Blasts". NDTV. 2006-07-11. Retrieved 2006-07-11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ "LeT, SIMI hand in Mumbai blasts" Times of India
  24. ^ http://www.ndtv.com/breakingnews/default.asp?refno=711200694503PM
  25. ^ "An act of frustration: Congress". timesofindia.com. 2006-07-12. Retrieved 2006-07-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  26. ^ "Left slams serial blast in Mumbai". NDTV.com. 2006-07-11. Retrieved 2006-07-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  27. ^ a b c d "Mumbai bombs: Reaction in quotes". bbc.co.uk. 2006-07-11. Retrieved 2006-07-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ^ "Downer condemns Mumbai blasts". news.com.au. 2006-07-11. Retrieved 2006-07-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  29. ^ "Terror attack can be anywhere: PM". www.news.com.au. 2006-07-11. Retrieved 2006-07-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ^ "Terrorists blamed for Mumbai deadly train blasts". ctv.ca. 2006-07-11. Retrieved 2006-07-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  31. ^ "Minister for Foreign Affairs Condemns Bomb Attacks in India". Dept. Of Foreign Affairs. 2006-07-11. Retrieved 2006-07-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  32. ^ "Pakistan strongly condemns "terrorist" blasts in India". dawn.com. 2006-07-11. Retrieved 2006-07-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  33. ^ Template:Ro icon MAE condamnă cu fermitate seria de acte teroriste care au avut loc în India (The Ministry of Foreign Affairs firmly condemns the series of terrorist acts which took place in India), Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 11 July 2006
  34. ^ "SA 'outraged' over India blasts". news24.com. 2006-07-11. Retrieved 2006-07-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); External link in |publisher= (help)
  35. ^ ""Spain, US condemn 'horrific' Indian blasts"". Mail & Guardian. 2006-07-11. Retrieved 2006-07-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  36. ^ Cite error: The named reference cnn-q was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  37. ^ "U.S. strongly condemns Indian bomb blasts". reuters.com. 2006-07-11. Retrieved 2006-07-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  38. ^ Template:Es icon Gobierno venezolano condena ataques terroristas en India
  39. ^ "Police raids seek Mumbai bombers". bbc.co.uk. 2006-07-12. Retrieved 2006-07-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

See also

Wikinews has related news:
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mumbai bombing, July 2006.
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