| Revision as of 17:50, 19 January 2021 editMonkbot (talk | contribs)Bots3,695,952 editsm Task 18 (cosmetic): eval 28 templates: hyphenate params (48×);Tag: AWB← Previous edit | Latest revision as of 18:25, 15 October 2024 edit undoGreenC bot (talk | contribs)Bots2,547,810 edits Move 2 urls. Wayback Medic 2.5 per WP:URLREQ#articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com | ||
| (24 intermediate revisions by 21 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| {{short description|Terrorist bombings in India}} | |||
| {{Use dmy dates|date= |
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}} | ||
| {{Use Indian English|date=April 2017}} | {{Use Indian English|date=April 2017}} | ||
| {{Infobox civilian attack | {{Infobox civilian attack | ||
| |title = 13 September 2008 Delhi bombings | | title = 13 September 2008 Delhi bombings | ||
| | partof = ] | |||
| |image = | |||
| | image = | |||
| |caption = | | caption = | ||
| |location = ], India | | location = ], India | ||
| |coordinates = {{Coord|28.6|77.2|region:IN-DL_type:landmark}} | | coordinates = {{Coord|28.6|77.2|region:IN-DL_type:landmark}} | ||
| |date = 13 September 2008 | | date = 13 September 2008 | ||
| |time-begin = 18:07 | |||
| |time- |
| time-begin = 18:07 | ||
| | time-end = 18:38 ] | |||
| |timezone = ] | | timezone = ] | ||
| |type = Bombings | | type = Bombings | ||
| |fatalities = 20–30 | | fatalities = 20–30 | ||
| |injuries = 90–135 | | injuries = 90–135 | ||
| |perps = | |||
| | perps = | |||
| |perp = ] | |||
| |weapons = ]-based bombs tied to integrated circuits with timers | | perp = ] | ||
| | weapons = ]-based bombs tied to integrated circuits with timers | |||
| |motive = ] |
| motive = ] | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| {{Terrorist attacks in India (since 2001)}} | {{Terrorist attacks in India (since 2001)}} | ||
| The '''13 September 2008 Delhi bombings''' were a series of five synchronised ] that took place within |
The '''13 September 2008 Delhi bombings''' were a series of five synchronised ] that took place within the span of a few minutes on Saturday, 13 September 2008 at various locations in ], India.<ref name="Times">{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Serial-blasts-rock-Delhi-30-dead-90-injured/articleshow/3479914.cms|title=Serial blasts rock Delhi; 30 dead, 90 injured|date=14 September 2008|location=India|access-date=13 September 2008|first1=Rahul|last1=Tripathi|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915175046/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Serial_blasts_rock_Delhi_18_dead/articleshow/3479914.cms|work=]|archive-date=15 September 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> The first bomb exploded at 18:07 IST, and four other blasts followed in succession,<ref name="Times"/> with at least 20 people killed and over 90 injured.<ref name="IBN">{{cite news|url=http://in.ibtimes.com/articles/20080914/india-delhi-serial-bomb-blast-terrorism-indian-mujahedeen.htm|work=International Business Times|title=New Delhi serial blasts death toll rises to 30; India on high alert|first=Gaurav|last=Sharma|date=14 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915092718/http://in.ibtimes.com/articles/20080914/india-delhi-serial-bomb-blast-terrorism-indian-mujahedeen.htm|archive-date=15 September 2008}}</ref> | ||
| ==Background== | ==Background== | ||
| Three bomb attacks had already occurred the same year in India. The first of these was on ]. The series of nine blasts over a span of 15 minutes claimed 63 lives, and injured 216.<ref>"", ], 15 May 2008.</ref> The second series of nine bomb blasts took place on ], and claimed 2 lives, while injuring 20.<ref></ref> The next day, on ], a spurt of 21 blasts killed 56 people and injured over 200. | Three bomb attacks had already occurred the same year in India. The first of these was on ]. The series of nine blasts over a span of 15 minutes claimed 63 lives, and injured 216.<ref>"", ], 15 May 2008.</ref> The second series of nine bomb blasts took place on ], and claimed 2 lives, while injuring 20.<ref></ref> The next day, on ], a spurt of 21 blasts killed 56 people and injured over 200. | ||
| The ] claimed responsibility for the Jaipur bombings through an email sent to Indian media<ref>"", ], 14 May 2008.</ref> and declared "open war" against India in retaliation for what it said were 60 years of Muslim persecution and the country's support of United States' policies, most notably the ].<ref name="CNN">{{cite news|url= http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/09/13/india.delhi.blasts/|title=Officials: At least 14 dead in New Delhi blasts|publisher=CNN|access-date=13 October 2008|date=14 September 2008|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081024021303/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/09/13/india.delhi.blasts/|archive-date=24 October 2008 <!--Added by DASHBot-->}}</ref> '']'' has reported that either the banned organisation ] or the militant organisation ] could be behind the blasts in Bangalore.<ref name="SIMI, LeT may be behind Bangalore blasts: IB">{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-25/india/27920373_1_bangalore-blasts-serial-blasts-simi|title=SIMI, LeT may be behind Bangalore blasts: IB |date=25 July 2008 |
The ] claimed responsibility for the Jaipur bombings through an email sent to Indian media<ref>"", ], 14 May 2008.</ref> and declared "open war" against India in retaliation for what it said were 60 years of ] and the country's support of ]' policies, most notably the ].<ref name="CNN">{{cite news|url= http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/09/13/india.delhi.blasts/|title=Officials: At least 14 dead in New Delhi blasts|publisher=CNN|access-date=13 October 2008|date=14 September 2008|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081024021303/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/09/13/india.delhi.blasts/|archive-date=24 October 2008 <!--Added by DASHBot-->}}</ref> '']'' has reported that either the banned organisation ] or the militant organisation ] could be behind the blasts in Bangalore.<ref name="SIMI, LeT may be behind Bangalore blasts: IB">{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-25/india/27920373_1_bangalore-blasts-serial-blasts-simi|title=SIMI, LeT may be behind Bangalore blasts: IB |date=25 July 2008|location=India|access-date=25 July 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080729170302/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/SIMI_LeT_may_be_behind_Bangalore_blasts_IB__/articleshow/3279993.cms|work=]| archive-date= 29 July 2008 <!--Added by DASHBot-->}}</ref> Similar to the ] case, after the ], several TV channels reported that they received e-mails from the ] claiming responsibility for the terror attacks.<ref name="itgo">{{cite web|title=16 blasts in Ahmedabad; 49 dead, 145 injured|work=]| publisher=]|date =27 July 2008|url=http://www.itgo.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&issueid=&id=7098§ionid=9&secid=0&Itemid=1|access-date =27 July 2008|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080803160936/http://www.itgo.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&issueid=&id=7098§ionid=9&secid=0&Itemid=1| archive-date=3 August 2008 <!--Added by DASHBot-->}}</ref> | ||
| Police say the Indian Mujahideen is an offshoot of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India, but allege that local Muslims are given training and backing from militant groups in neighbouring Pakistan and Bangladesh.<ref name="REUTERS">{{cite news|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKLD36237120080913 |title=Five bombs explode in Indian capital | |
Police say the Indian Mujahideen is an offshoot of the banned ], but allege that local Muslims are given training and backing from militant groups in neighbouring ] and ].<ref name="REUTERS">{{cite news|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKLD36237120080913 |title=Five bombs explode in Indian capital |agency=Reuters|access-date=13 October 2008 |date=13 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080916100746/http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKLD36237120080913 |archive-date=16 September 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | ||
| ==Details== | ==Details== | ||
| (Rediff, 14 September 2008)</ref>]] | (Rediff, 14 September 2008)</ref>]] | ||
| Five blasts took place within a span of 31 minutes from 18:07 to 18:38 ]<ref></ref> (12:37 to 13:08 UTC) in busy markets or commercial localities. Four bombs were defused. | Five blasts took place within a span of 31 minutes from 18:07 to 18:38 ]<ref></ref> (12:37 to 13:08 UTC) in busy markets or commercial localities. Four bombs were defused. | ||
| The first blast took place at 18:07 at Ghaffar market (a municipal market along a stretch of Ajmal Khan Road, ]) in which at least 20 people were injured. They were rushed to nearby ]. The explosive was kept near a car, and resulted in a cylinder blast in an ], which was subsequently thrown up several feet into the air.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://broadband.indiatimes.com/videoshow/3479920.cms|title=Serial blasts rock Delhi|publisher=] Broadband}}</ref> | The first blast took place at 18:07 at Ghaffar market (a municipal market along a stretch of Ajmal Khan Road, ]), which is full of electronics shops,<ref></ref> in which at least 20 people were injured. They were rushed to nearby ]. The explosive was kept near a car, and resulted in a cylinder blast in an ], which was subsequently thrown up several feet into the air.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://broadband.indiatimes.com/videoshow/3479920.cms|title=Serial blasts rock Delhi|publisher=] Broadband|access-date=31 January 2021|archive-date=17 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017060428/http://broadband.indiatimes.com/videoshow/3479920.cms|url-status=dead}}</ref> | ||
| Immediately after, two explosions took place in ] in which at least 10 people were injured. Police and witnesses said that the bombs went off in dustbins in and around Connaught Place, a shopping and dining area popular with tourists and locals in the centre of the city. The first of these blasts occurred on Barakhamba Road, near Nirmal Tower and Gopal Das Bhavan at 18:34. A minute later, the second bomb exploded in the newly constructed Central Park in the centre of the Connaught Place roundabout, built above one of the main stations of the ]. ] two men place the bomb in a dustbin at Central Park.<ref name="Outlook">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?sid=1&fodname=20080913&fname=blasts|title=Serial blasts in Delhi|magazine=]|date=13 September 2008|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080803160936/http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?sid=1&fodname=20080913&fname=blasts|archive-date=3 August 2008 }}</ref> | Immediately after, two explosions took place in ] in which at least 10 people were injured. Police and witnesses said that the bombs went off in dustbins in and around Connaught Place, a shopping and dining area popular with tourists and locals in the centre of the city. The first of these blasts occurred on Barakhamba Road, near Nirmal Tower and Gopal Das Bhavan at 18:34. A minute later, the second bomb exploded in the newly constructed Central Park in the centre of the Connaught Place roundabout, built above one of the main stations of the ]. ] two men place the bomb in a dustbin at Central Park.<ref name="Outlook">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?sid=1&fodname=20080913&fname=blasts|title=Serial blasts in Delhi|magazine=]|date=13 September 2008|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080803160936/http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?sid=1&fodname=20080913&fname=blasts|archive-date=3 August 2008 }}</ref> | ||
| Line 48: | Line 50: | ||
| ===Police and security=== | ===Police and security=== | ||
| Security was tightened across the national capital, with police personnel fanning out to railway and Metro stations, hospitals, bus terminals, the ] and other sensitive points like cinema halls, shopping malls and religious places. Barricades were put up on most city roads to check traffic. Several major markets, including the ] market, which was targeted in the previous ], were shut down and evacuated. Cyber-café owners were asked to keep a tab on customers. | Security was tightened across the national capital, with police personnel fanning out to railway and Metro stations, hospitals, bus terminals, the ] and other sensitive points like cinema halls, shopping malls and religious places. Barricades were put up on most city roads to check traffic. Several major markets, including the ] market, which was targeted in the previous ], were shut down and evacuated. Cyber-café owners were asked to keep a tab on customers.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}} | ||
| A ] (CISF) spokesperson state that "security has already been strengthened and frisking and checking of the commuters have been stepped up. The Metro is under constant vigil". He added that extra personnel had been pressed into service to keep an eye on commuters.<ref name="Times"/> | A ] (CISF) spokesperson state that "security has already been strengthened and frisking and checking of the commuters have been stepped up. The Metro is under constant vigil". He added that extra personnel had been pressed into service to keep an eye on commuters.<ref name="Times"/> | ||
| Line 55: | Line 57: | ||
| The confusion in the aftermath of the blasts was evident in the press reports immediately following. The general consensus was that the blasts had claimed 18 lives.<ref name="REUTERS" /><ref name="Outlook" /><ref name="ZEE" /> However, there was some disparity, with CNN claiming as low as 15,<ref name="CNN" /> to ] claiming as high as 30.<ref name="NDTV">{{cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080065256|title=30 killed, 90 injured in 5 blasts across Delhi|publisher=]|access-date=13 October 2008}}</ref> | The confusion in the aftermath of the blasts was evident in the press reports immediately following. The general consensus was that the blasts had claimed 18 lives.<ref name="REUTERS" /><ref name="Outlook" /><ref name="ZEE" /> However, there was some disparity, with CNN claiming as low as 15,<ref name="CNN" /> to ] claiming as high as 30.<ref name="NDTV">{{cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080065256|title=30 killed, 90 injured in 5 blasts across Delhi|publisher=]|access-date=13 October 2008}}</ref> | ||
| Even after some time had passed, the numbers of people killed and injured reported by various sources varied. At the lower end, '']'' in 2011 reported the death toll as "more than 20 people",<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/08/world/asia/08india.html |title=Deadly Explosion Strikes Courthouse in New Delhi |last=Yardley |first=Jim |date=8 September 2011 |work=The New York Times |access-date=12 September 2018 |language=en }}</ref> and '']'' noted that number of deaths as "at least 25".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/chronology-of-blasts-in-delhi/article2432097.ece |title=Chronology of blasts in Delhi |date=7 September 2011 |work=The Hindu |access-date=12 September 2018 |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X }}</ref> Meanwhile, a 2010 report by the ] indicates 26 dead and 100 injured,<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.claws.in/images/publication_pdf/1267073161MP_19.pdf |
Even after some time had passed, the numbers of people killed and injured reported by various sources varied. At the lower end, '']'' in 2011 reported the death toll as "more than 20 people",<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/08/world/asia/08india.html |title=Deadly Explosion Strikes Courthouse in New Delhi |last=Yardley |first=Jim |date=8 September 2011 |work=The New York Times |access-date=12 September 2018 |language=en }}</ref> and '']'' noted that number of deaths as "at least 25".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/chronology-of-blasts-in-delhi/article2432097.ece |title=Chronology of blasts in Delhi |date=7 September 2011 |work=The Hindu |access-date=12 September 2018 |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X }}</ref> Meanwhile, a 2010 report by the ] indicates 26 dead and 100 injured,<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.claws.in/images/publication_pdf/1267073161MP_19.pdf |title=Understanding the Indian Mujahideen |first=Rohit |last=Singh |publisher=Centre for Land Warfare Studies |isbn=978-93-80502-22-9 |page=6 |access-date=12 September 2018 |archive-date=11 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711025047/http://www.claws.in/images/publication_pdf/1267073161MP_19.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> and a 2009 article by the ] claims 30 dead and nearly 90 injured.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://idsa.in/backgrounder/IndianMujahideen |title=Who is the Indian Mujahideen? |last=Goswami |first=Namrata |date=3 February 2009 |publisher=Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses |language=en |access-date=12 September 2018 }}</ref> In 2018, NDTV was still reporting 30 dead and 100 injured,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/4-bombings-in-which-arrested-indian-mujahideen-terrorist-ariz-khan-allegedly-played-key-role-1812814 |title=43 Bombs, 165 Dead: What Cops Say on Arrested Indian Mujahideen Terrorist |last=Sanyal |first=Anindita |date=14 February 2018 |work=NDTV |access-date=12 September 2018}}</ref> but '']'' was putting the number of injuries at 135.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.pressreader.com/india/the-times-of-india-new-delhi-edition/20180901/281651075979511 |title=2008 Serial Blasts |work=The Times of India |date=1 September 2018 |via=] |language=en |access-date=12 September 2018 }}</ref> | ||
| There was also some controversy over blast sites and the sites where bombs were defused, most notably ] reporting a bomb being defused at Central Park,<ref name="ZEE"/> while the '']'' Magazine stated that the park itself was a bomb site.<ref name="Outlook"/> | There was also some controversy over blast sites and the sites where bombs were defused, most notably ] reporting a bomb being defused at Central Park,<ref name="ZEE"/> while the '']'' Magazine stated that the park itself was a bomb site.<ref name="Outlook"/> | ||
| Line 61: | Line 63: | ||
| == Responsibility == | == Responsibility == | ||
| The ] "]" sent an e-mail to all major TV channels, informing them of the blasts just after the first one occurred.<ref name = "ET">{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/3480529.cms |title=There will be more bomb attacks, warns Indian Mujahideen|publisher=Economictimes.indiatimes.com |date=14 September 2008|access-date=15 September 2008|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080917003640/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/3480529.cms|archive-date=17 September 2008 <!--Added by DASHBot-->}}</ref> In the case of the bomb blasts in ], and ], e-mails were sent before the blasts. | The ] "]" sent an e-mail to all major TV channels, informing them of the blasts just after the first one occurred.<ref name = "ET">{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/3480529.cms |title=There will be more bomb attacks, warns Indian Mujahideen|publisher=Economictimes.indiatimes.com |date=14 September 2008|access-date=15 September 2008|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080917003640/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/3480529.cms|archive-date=17 September 2008 <!--Added by DASHBot-->}}</ref> In the case of the bomb blasts in ], and ], e-mails were sent before the blasts. | ||
| {{ |
{{blockquote|text=Indian Mujahideen strikes back once more. Within 5 minutes from now... This time with the Message of Death, dreadfully terrorising you for your sins. And thus our promise will be fulfilled. Inshallah...Do whatever you want and stop us if you can.<ref name="Outlook"/>}} | ||
| The email was sent from Arbi Hindi. The email threatened nine blasts.<ref name="Times"/><ref name="ET"/> A 13-page attached document depicts photographs of the previous blasts under the caption "our ]". The Delhi blasts are, according to the email, a direct reaction to the raids carried on and after the Ahmedabad blasts, and "harassments imposed by your (Indian) ATS and the police on the innocent Muslims". The document also mentions ], violence against Christians in ], ] demolition and ].<ref name="ET"/> | The email was sent from Arbi Hindi. The email threatened nine blasts.<ref name="Times"/><ref name="ET"/> A 13-page attached document depicts photographs of the previous blasts under the caption "our ]". The Delhi blasts are, according to the email, a direct reaction to the raids carried on and after the Ahmedabad blasts, and "harassments imposed by your (Indian) ATS and the police on the innocent Muslims". The document also mentions ], violence against Christians in ], ] demolition and ].<ref name="ET"/> | ||
| Line 77: | Line 79: | ||
| | url = http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080066032 |title=Saif, Zeeshan sent to 14-day police custody |publisher=NDTV|access-date=20 September 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080066025 |title=Braveheart Inspector's death a huge loss |publisher=NDTV |access-date=20 September 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080921002031/http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080066025 |archive-date=21 September 2008 }}</ref> Later, the intelligence team said that the arrested allegedly had links with ] and further questioned if they had any link with ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Saif--other-militants-have-Dawood-links--Intl-agencies/365303/|title=Cops probe Dawood link to Delhi blast suspects|publisher=Express India|access-date=24 September 2008|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110605212733/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Saif--other-militants-have-Dawood-links--Intl-agencies/365303/|archive-date=5 June 2011 }}</ref> | | url = http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080066032 |title=Saif, Zeeshan sent to 14-day police custody |publisher=NDTV|access-date=20 September 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080066025 |title=Braveheart Inspector's death a huge loss |publisher=NDTV |access-date=20 September 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080921002031/http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080066025 |archive-date=21 September 2008 }}</ref> Later, the intelligence team said that the arrested allegedly had links with ] and further questioned if they had any link with ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Saif--other-militants-have-Dawood-links--Intl-agencies/365303/|title=Cops probe Dawood link to Delhi blast suspects|publisher=Express India|access-date=24 September 2008|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110605212733/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Saif--other-militants-have-Dawood-links--Intl-agencies/365303/|archive-date=5 June 2011 }}</ref> | ||
| On 23 September, the police arrested five more people from Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh.<ref name="hindustantimes1">{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/FullcoverageStoryPage.aspx?sectionName=&id=861d71e8-77e4-4160-b61e-c7a52451d569TerrorStrikesDelhi_Special&&Headline=Five+suspects+nabbed+for+serial+blasts |title=Police claim to have arrested 5 key members of IM |date=24 September 2008 |work=Hindustan Times |
On 23 September, the police arrested five more people from Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh.<ref name="hindustantimes1">{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/FullcoverageStoryPage.aspx?sectionName=&id=861d71e8-77e4-4160-b61e-c7a52451d569TerrorStrikesDelhi_Special&&Headline=Five+suspects+nabbed+for+serial+blasts |title=Police claim to have arrested 5 key members of IM |date=24 September 2008 |work=Hindustan Times|location=India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225000140/http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/FullcoverageStoryPage.aspx?sectionName=&id=861d71e8-77e4-4160-b61e-c7a52451d569TerrorStrikesDelhi_Special&&Headline=Five%2Bsuspects%2Bnabbed%2Bfor%2Bserial%2Bblasts |archive-date=25 December 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> All five are suspected to be part of the Indian Mujahadeen's ]. The men were: | ||
| *Sadiq Sheikh, 31, software engineer from Mumbai | *Sadiq Sheikh, 31, software engineer from Mumbai | ||
| *Afzal Usmani, 32, hotelier in western suburbs of Mumbai | *Afzal Usmani, 32, hotelier in western suburbs of Mumbai | ||
| Line 84: | Line 86: | ||
| *Mohammed Ansar Sheikh, 31, software Engineer from Mumbai | *Mohammed Ansar Sheikh, 31, software Engineer from Mumbai | ||
| On 4 October they were sent by the judicial |
On 4 October they were sent by the judicial Chief Metropolitan Magistrate to 12 days' policy custody.<ref>{{cite news|title=Delhi blasts: 5 suspects sent to 12 days' police custody|url= http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/Delhi_blasts_5_suspects_sent_to_12_days_police_custody/rssarticleshow/3560423.cms|work=The Times of India |location=India|access-date=4 October 2008 <!--Added by DASHBot-->}}</ref> | ||
| The crime branch has claimed that these are the operatives who had introduced themselves as Pakistanis to perpetrators of ]. After the 2006 bombings, police had claimed that a group of ] terrorists along with five Pakistan nationals had planted bombs in seven trains.<ref name="hindustantimes1"/> | The crime branch has claimed that these are the operatives who had introduced themselves as Pakistanis to perpetrators of ]. After the 2006 bombings, police had claimed that a group of ] terrorists along with five Pakistan nationals had planted bombs in seven trains.<ref name="hindustantimes1"/> | ||
| On 11 November, the Madhya Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) arrested Qayamuddin Kapadia, a top-ranking member of SIMI and a key conspirator and executor of the Ahmedabad attack. Police claimed that Kapadia admitted his involvement in the Ahmedabad blasts, and that he, along with Abdul Subhan Qureshi ''alias'' Tauqeer of Mumbai and Riaz Bhatkal of Karnataka, collaborated with the SIMI cell led by Atif to carry out the Delhi blasts. Atif was later killed in an encounter with Delhi Police.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ahmedabad blasts plotter held in MP|url= http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-11-11/india/27945936_1_ahmedabad-blasts-qayamuddin-kapadia-serial-blasts | |
On 11 November, the Madhya Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) arrested Qayamuddin Kapadia, a top-ranking member of SIMI and a key conspirator and executor of the Ahmedabad attack. Police claimed that Kapadia admitted his involvement in the Ahmedabad blasts, and that he, along with Abdul Subhan Qureshi ''alias'' Tauqeer of Mumbai and Riaz Bhatkal of Karnataka, collaborated with the SIMI cell led by Atif to carry out the Delhi blasts. Atif was later killed in an encounter with Delhi Police.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ahmedabad blasts plotter held in MP|url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Ahmedabad-blasts-plotter-held-in-MP/articleshow/3697294.cms |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121022074558/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-11-11/india/27945936_1_ahmedabad-blasts-qayamuddin-kapadia-serial-blasts |url-status= live |archive-date= 22 October 2012 |location=India|date=11 November 2008|work=]|access-date=13 November 2008 <!--Added by DASHBot-->}}</ref> | ||
| In January 2018, Delhi police arrested Qureshi after a gun battle.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/suspected-terrorist-involved-in-delhi-gujarat-serial-blasts-arrested-after-exchange-of-fire-with-delhi-police/story-ArsOCcRtpUFZHArbXDdCIJ.html |title=Suspected terrorist involved in Delhi, Gujarat blasts arrested after exchange of fire with Delhi Police |last=Singh |first=Karn Pratap |date=22 January 2018 |work=] |access-date=12 September 2018 |language=en }}</ref> | In January 2018, Delhi police arrested Qureshi after a gun battle.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/suspected-terrorist-involved-in-delhi-gujarat-serial-blasts-arrested-after-exchange-of-fire-with-delhi-police/story-ArsOCcRtpUFZHArbXDdCIJ.html |title=Suspected terrorist involved in Delhi, Gujarat blasts arrested after exchange of fire with Delhi Police |last=Singh |first=Karn Pratap |date=22 January 2018 |work=] |access-date=12 September 2018 |language=en }}</ref> | ||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| *] | *] | ||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 18:25, 15 October 2024
Terrorist bombings in India
| 13 September 2008 Delhi bombings | |
|---|---|
| Part of Islamic terrorism | |
| Location | Delhi, India |
| Coordinates | 28°36′N 77°12′E / 28.6°N 77.2°E / 28.6; 77.2 |
| Date | 13 September 2008 18:07 – 18:38 IST (UTC+05:30) |
| Attack type | Bombings |
| Weapons | Ammonium nitrate-based bombs tied to integrated circuits with timers |
| Deaths | 20–30 |
| Injured | 90–135 |
| Perpetrator | Indian Mujahideen |
| Motive | Islamic extremism |
| Terrorist attacks in India (since 2001) | |
|---|---|
| List of terrorist incidents in India Attacks with 50+ deaths in italics | |
| 2001 | |
| 2002 | |
| 2003 | |
| 2005 | |
| 2006 | |
| 2007 | |
| 2008 | |
| 2009 | |
| 2010 | |
| 2011 | |
| 2012 | |
| 2013 | |
| 2014 | |
| 2015 | |
| 2016 | |
| 2017 | |
| 2018 | |
| 2019 | |
| 2021 | |
| 2023 | |
| 2024 | |
The 13 September 2008 Delhi bombings were a series of five synchronised bomb blasts that took place within the span of a few minutes on Saturday, 13 September 2008 at various locations in Delhi, India. The first bomb exploded at 18:07 IST, and four other blasts followed in succession, with at least 20 people killed and over 90 injured.
Background
Three bomb attacks had already occurred the same year in India. The first of these was on 13 May in Jaipur. The series of nine blasts over a span of 15 minutes claimed 63 lives, and injured 216. The second series of nine bomb blasts took place on 25 July in Bangalore, and claimed 2 lives, while injuring 20. The next day, on 26 July in Ahmedabad, a spurt of 21 blasts killed 56 people and injured over 200.
The Indian Mujahideen claimed responsibility for the Jaipur bombings through an email sent to Indian media and declared "open war" against India in retaliation for what it said were 60 years of Muslim persecution and the country's support of United States' policies, most notably the war in Afghanistan. The Times of India has reported that either the banned organisation Students Islamic Movement of India or the militant organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba could be behind the blasts in Bangalore. Similar to the Jaipur case, after the Ahmedabad blasts, several TV channels reported that they received e-mails from the Indian Mujahideen claiming responsibility for the terror attacks.
Police say the Indian Mujahideen is an offshoot of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India, but allege that local Muslims are given training and backing from militant groups in neighbouring Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Details
Five blasts took place within a span of 31 minutes from 18:07 to 18:38 IST (12:37 to 13:08 UTC) in busy markets or commercial localities. Four bombs were defused.
The first blast took place at 18:07 at Ghaffar market (a municipal market along a stretch of Ajmal Khan Road, Karol Bagh), which is full of electronics shops, in which at least 20 people were injured. They were rushed to nearby RML hospital. The explosive was kept near a car, and resulted in a cylinder blast in an auto rickshaw, which was subsequently thrown up several feet into the air.
Immediately after, two explosions took place in Connaught Place in which at least 10 people were injured. Police and witnesses said that the bombs went off in dustbins in and around Connaught Place, a shopping and dining area popular with tourists and locals in the centre of the city. The first of these blasts occurred on Barakhamba Road, near Nirmal Tower and Gopal Das Bhavan at 18:34. A minute later, the second bomb exploded in the newly constructed Central Park in the centre of the Connaught Place roundabout, built above one of the main stations of the Delhi Metro. An eyewitness reportedly saw two men place the bomb in a dustbin at Central Park.
Subsequently, two explosions rocked M-Block market in Greater Kailash-I at 18:37 and 18:38 – the first near the popular Prince Paan Corner, and the other near a Levi's store. The latter damaged 10 shops.
Preliminary examination of the blast site said that low intensity ammonium nitrate tied to integrated circuits with timer devices had been used in almost all the serial blasts.
Four bombs were also defused – the first one at India Gate, the second outside Regal Cinema in Connaught Place, the third in Connaught Place, and the fourth on Parliament Street.
On the evening of 13 September 2008, IBN reported at least 30 deaths and over 100 injured. AFP reported that "Indian police (New Delhi police spokesman Rajan Bhagat) said Sunday that 20 people were killed and close to 100 injured."
Response
Police and security
Security was tightened across the national capital, with police personnel fanning out to railway and Metro stations, hospitals, bus terminals, the airport and other sensitive points like cinema halls, shopping malls and religious places. Barricades were put up on most city roads to check traffic. Several major markets, including the Sarojini Nagar market, which was targeted in the previous Diwali-eve blasts in 2005, were shut down and evacuated. Cyber-café owners were asked to keep a tab on customers.
A Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) spokesperson state that "security has already been strengthened and frisking and checking of the commuters have been stepped up. The Metro is under constant vigil". He added that extra personnel had been pressed into service to keep an eye on commuters.
Press confusion
The confusion in the aftermath of the blasts was evident in the press reports immediately following. The general consensus was that the blasts had claimed 18 lives. However, there was some disparity, with CNN claiming as low as 15, to NDTV claiming as high as 30.
Even after some time had passed, the numbers of people killed and injured reported by various sources varied. At the lower end, The New York Times in 2011 reported the death toll as "more than 20 people", and The Hindu noted that number of deaths as "at least 25". Meanwhile, a 2010 report by the Centre for Land Warfare Studies indicates 26 dead and 100 injured, and a 2009 article by the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses claims 30 dead and nearly 90 injured. In 2018, NDTV was still reporting 30 dead and 100 injured, but The Times of India was putting the number of injuries at 135.
There was also some controversy over blast sites and the sites where bombs were defused, most notably Zee News reporting a bomb being defused at Central Park, while the Outlook Magazine stated that the park itself was a bomb site.
Responsibility
The Islamist "Indian Mujahideen" sent an e-mail to all major TV channels, informing them of the blasts just after the first one occurred. In the case of the bomb blasts in Jaipur, and Ahmedabad, e-mails were sent before the blasts.
Indian Mujahideen strikes back once more. Within 5 minutes from now... This time with the Message of Death, dreadfully terrorising you for your sins. And thus our promise will be fulfilled. Inshallah...Do whatever you want and stop us if you can.
The email was sent from Arbi Hindi. The email threatened nine blasts. A 13-page attached document depicts photographs of the previous blasts under the caption "our jihad". The Delhi blasts are, according to the email, a direct reaction to the raids carried on and after the Ahmedabad blasts, and "harassments imposed by your (Indian) ATS and the police on the innocent Muslims". The document also mentions Amarnath dispute, violence against Christians in Orissa, Babri Masjid demolition and Gujarat riots.
The email was traced to Chembur, an eastern suburb of Mumbai. Mumbai's anti-Terrorism squad (ATS) confirmed that WiFi of the owner firm "Kamran Power" was hacked and used for sending the mail.
Reports claim that the Indian Mujahideen called this operation "Operation B-A-D", encompassing the Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Delhi Bombings. Intelligence officials had intercepted a call made "from the across the border" claiming "Operation BAD is successful", after the Ahmedabad blasts, which the Gujarat police that interpreted as Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Delhi, though the dates and specific places were not known.
Investigation
Two persons were detained from Connaught Place area soon after the blasts. Delhi Police said an 11-year-old boy had claimed to have seen the perpetrators; he informed police that the suspects, clad in black kurta-pyjamas, were seen placing bags in a dustbin. The Delhi Police soon, within three hours of the blast, arrested another person who the police suspect to be the mastermind of the blast.
Preliminary investigation by police reveal Indian Mujahideen-SIMI cell led by Abdul Subhan Qureshi alias Tauqir, having information technology background from Mumbai, to be involved. Another person named Qayamuddin is also under investigation. Four more people have also been detained and questioned.
In the morning of 19 September, the Batla House encounter took place, in which Delhi Police shot down two persons, thought to be suspects, hiding in L-18 block of Jamia Nagar, Delhi. Two others suspects were arrested while one managed to escape. Bashir alias Atif, believed to be the mastermind was one of the two killed. Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, who was injured in the encounter, died in a hospital. He was credited with helping to have killed 35 terror suspects, 85 arrests and also the winner of 75-odd encounters, 150 medals and seven gallantry awards. Later, the intelligence team said that the arrested allegedly had links with Dubai and further questioned if they had any link with Dawood Ibrahim.
On 23 September, the police arrested five more people from Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh. All five are suspected to be part of the Indian Mujahadeen's think tank. The men were:
- Sadiq Sheikh, 31, software engineer from Mumbai
- Afzal Usmani, 32, hotelier in western suburbs of Mumbai
- Arif Sheikh, 38, electrician from Mumbra, Mumbai
- Mohammed Zakir Sheikh, 38, scrap dealer from Mumbra, Mumbai
- Mohammed Ansar Sheikh, 31, software Engineer from Mumbai
On 4 October they were sent by the judicial Chief Metropolitan Magistrate to 12 days' policy custody.
The crime branch has claimed that these are the operatives who had introduced themselves as Pakistanis to perpetrators of 11 July 2006 Mumbai train bombings. After the 2006 bombings, police had claimed that a group of SIMI terrorists along with five Pakistan nationals had planted bombs in seven trains.
On 11 November, the Madhya Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) arrested Qayamuddin Kapadia, a top-ranking member of SIMI and a key conspirator and executor of the Ahmedabad attack. Police claimed that Kapadia admitted his involvement in the Ahmedabad blasts, and that he, along with Abdul Subhan Qureshi alias Tauqeer of Mumbai and Riaz Bhatkal of Karnataka, collaborated with the SIMI cell led by Atif to carry out the Delhi blasts. Atif was later killed in an encounter with Delhi Police.
In January 2018, Delhi police arrested Qureshi after a gun battle.
See also
References
- ^ Tripathi, Rahul (14 September 2008). "Serial blasts rock Delhi; 30 dead, 90 injured". The Times of India. India. Archived from the original on 15 September 2008. Retrieved 13 September 2008.
- ^ Sharma, Gaurav (14 September 2008). "New Delhi serial blasts death toll rises to 30; India on high alert". International Business Times. Archived from the original on 15 September 2008.
- "World condemns blasts, promises support in fight against terror", The Economic Times, 15 May 2008.
- 6 blasts rock Bangalore, two killed, 20 wounded
- "Indian Mujahideen sends pre-blast video footage", India Today, 14 May 2008.
- ^ "Officials: At least 14 dead in New Delhi blasts". CNN. 14 September 2008. Archived from the original on 24 October 2008. Retrieved 13 October 2008.
- "SIMI, LeT may be behind Bangalore blasts: IB". The Times of India. India. 25 July 2008. Archived from the original on 29 July 2008. Retrieved 25 July 2008.
- "16 blasts in Ahmedabad; 49 dead, 145 injured". India Today Group. Living Media. 27 July 2008. Archived from the original on 3 August 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2008.
- ^ "Five bombs explode in Indian capital". Reuters. 13 September 2008. Archived from the original on 16 September 2008. Retrieved 13 October 2008.
- Where the terrorists struck in Delhi (Rediff, 14 September 2008)
- HT
- Five bombs explode in New Delhi, 20 killed
- "Serial blasts rock Delhi". Indiatimes Broadband. Archived from the original on 17 October 2008. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ "Serial blasts in Delhi". Outlook India. 13 September 2008. Archived from the original on 3 August 2008.
- ^ "Serial blasts in Delhi; 18 dead, 100 injured". Zee News. Archived from the original on 3 August 2008.
- afp.google.com/article, 20 killed, 98 injured in Delhi bomb attacks
- "30 killed, 90 injured in 5 blasts across Delhi". NDTV. Retrieved 13 October 2008.
- Yardley, Jim (8 September 2011). "Deadly Explosion Strikes Courthouse in New Delhi". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
- "Chronology of blasts in Delhi". The Hindu. 7 September 2011. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
- Singh, Rohit. Understanding the Indian Mujahideen (PDF). Centre for Land Warfare Studies. p. 6. ISBN 978-93-80502-22-9. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 July 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
- Goswami, Namrata (3 February 2009). "Who is the Indian Mujahideen?". Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
- Sanyal, Anindita (14 February 2018). "43 Bombs, 165 Dead: What Cops Say on Arrested Indian Mujahideen Terrorist". NDTV. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
- "2008 Serial Blasts". The Times of India. 1 September 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018 – via PressReader.
- ^ "There will be more bomb attacks, warns Indian Mujahideen". Economictimes.indiatimes.com. 14 September 2008. Archived from the original on 17 September 2008. Retrieved 15 September 2008.
- "WiFi was hacked again to send terror mail: Mumbai ATS". The Economic Times. 14 September 2008. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
- "Indian Mujahideen accomplishes Operation B-A-D". Economictimes.indiatimes.com. 13 September 2008. Archived from the original on 16 September 2008. Retrieved 15 September 2008.
- "Mumbai techie chief suspect: Agencies". The Times of India. India. 14 September 2008. Archived from the original on 18 September 2008. Retrieved 13 September 2008.
- "Cops look for faces of terror – Two detained". Ibnlive.com. Archived from the original on 16 September 2008. Retrieved 15 September 2008.
- "Saif, Zeeshan sent to 14-day police custody". NDTV. Retrieved 20 September 2008.
- "Braveheart Inspector's death a huge loss". NDTV. Archived from the original on 21 September 2008. Retrieved 20 September 2008.
- "Cops probe Dawood link to Delhi blast suspects". Express India. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2008.
- ^ "Police claim to have arrested 5 key members of IM". Hindustan Times. India. 24 September 2008. Archived from the original on 25 December 2008.
- "Delhi blasts: 5 suspects sent to 12 days' police custody". The Times of India. India. Retrieved 4 October 2008.
- "Ahmedabad blasts plotter held in MP". The Times of India. India. 11 November 2008. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2008.
- Singh, Karn Pratap (22 January 2018). "Suspected terrorist involved in Delhi, Gujarat blasts arrested after exchange of fire with Delhi Police". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
- 21st-century mass murder in India
- Mass murder in 2008
- Terrorist incidents in India in 2008
- Improvised explosive device bombings in India
- Islamic terrorism in India
- Islamic terrorist incidents in 2008
- 2010s in Delhi
- Filmed improvised explosive device bombings
- 2000s in Delhi
- Crime in Delhi
- Indian Mujahideen attacks