Misplaced Pages

Revision as of 17:12, 12 September 2024

The 2008 Ahmedabad bombings were a series of 21 bomb blasts that hit Ahmedabad, India, on 26 July 2008, within a span of 70 minutes. Fifty-six people were killed and over 200 people were injured. Ahmedabad is the cultural and commercial heart of Gujarat state and a large part of western India. The blasts were considered to be of low intensity and were similar to the Bangalore blasts, Karnataka which occurred the day before. This bombings were done by Pakistani Islamic Terrorist group Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami.

Several TV channels had received an e-mail from a terror outfit called Indian Mujahideen claiming responsibility for the terror attacks; Islamic militant group Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami, however, has claimed responsibility for the attacks. The Gujarat police arrested the suspected mastermind, Mufti Abu Bashir, along with nine others, in connection to the bombings.

In a verdict given by Ahmedabad special court in February 2022, of the 77 accused, 28 were acquitted for lack of evidence, 11 were sentenced to life imprisonment and 38 were sentenced to death.

Bombings

The bombs were planted in Tiffin carriers on bicycles, a pattern similar to the 13 May 2008 Jaipur bombings. Many of the blasts targeted the city bus service of AMTS (Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service), ripping apart portions of the vehicles. Two blasts took place inside the premises of two hospitals, about 40 minutes after the initial series of blasts. One of the blasts in the hospitals occurred when injured victims of the initial series of blasts were being admitted there. Another bomb was found and defused on the following day in the Hatkeshwar area. Two live bombs were also retrieved from Maninagar, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's constituency.

Gujarat police recovered and defused two more bombs in Surat, another major city in Gujarat, a day after the Ahmedabad blasts. Two cars filled with materials required to make explosives, including detonators, were also found, one of them parked on a roadside near a hospital, and the other in the outskirts of Surat.

Bombing Locations

• Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, trauma center
• Khadia
• Raipur
• Sarangpur
• L.G. Hospital, Maninagar
• Maninagar
• Hatkeshwar Circle
• Bapunagar
• Thakkarbapa Nagar
• Jawahar Chowk
• Govindwadi
• Isanpur
• Narol
• Sarkhej

Warning of attacks through e-mail

Several news agencies reported receiving a 14-page e-mail five minutes before the explosions with the subject line: "Await 5 minutes for the revenge of Gujarat", apparently referring to the 2002 Gujarat violence which took place after the Godhra train burning incident. The e-mail was sent by the Islamic extremist group known as Indian Mujahideen on 26 July at around 6:41pm IST.

The contents of the e-mail warned of attacks in 5 minutes: "In the name of Allah the Indian Mujahideen strike again! Do whatever you can, within 5 minutes from now, feel the terror of Death!"

The e-mail also contained threats against Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Vilasrao Deshmukh, and his deputy, R.R. Patil, with the claim, "We wonder at your memory. Have you forgotten the evening of 11 July 2006 so quickly and so easily?"

Furthermore, the threats went on to warn Indian businessman Mukesh Ambani of Reliance Industries to "think-twice" before "usurping and building a citadel on a land in Mumbai that belongs to the Waqf board...lest it turns into horrifying memories for you which you will never ever forget".

The e-mail also reportedly threatened several Bollywood actors, asking them to stop acting.

Police reported that they questioned U.S. national Ken Haywood from whose IP address the threatening email was sent. Haywood's residence in the Sanpada area of Navi Mumbai was raided by ATS officials on 27 July after the IP address from which a threatening email was sent minutes before the Ahmedabad serial blasts was found to be his.

Casualties

56 people were killed by the bombing and over 200 people were injured.

Initially, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh sanctioned an ex gratia payment of ₹ 100,000 (US$2,300) to the next of kin of the dead. However, upon visiting Ahmedabad, he raised the ex gratia figure to ₹ 350,000 (US$8,050). In addition, he also announced a compensation of ₹ 50,000 (US$1,200) for those injured in the blasts.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi announced a compensation of Rs 500,000 (US$11,500) to each victim of the bomb blasts.

Investigations

This section is in list format but may read better as prose. You can help by converting this section, if appropriate. Editing help is available. (July 2018)

Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami has claimed the responsibility of the blasts. The email mentioned that "the innocent Muslims arrested in the (Mumbai), bomb blast case are being tried for years and years."

Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta said the Centre dispatched one team of bomb experts and decided to convene a meeting of top officials of state governments to discuss the situation arising out of the recent explosions.

According to the Times of India the intelligence community believes that both blasts of Bangalore and Ahmedabad were executed by a network of Wahabi fundamentalists masquerading as Indian Mujahideen.

Leads in the case

• Several TV channels stated that they had received an e-mail from a terror outfit called Indian Mujahideen claiming responsibility for the terror attacks. This e-mail has been traced to a locality in Navi Mumbai. This outfit in the past claimed responsibility for the Jaipur bombings on 13 May 2008.
• The police investigation has centered around the claims made in two phone calls.

• A doctor who was visiting one of the hospitals where one of the blasts occurred has claimed to have overheard a person talking on his cellphone saying, "Bangalore was a failure, however Ahmedabad will be successful and we will celebrate if God wishes.". A sketch of this person, shown alongside, was released. The doctor described the suspected culprit as being around "30–34 years old; wearing a pink shirt; clean shaven; and seemingly an educated person."
• A person has claimed to have received two suspicious phone calls at around 8:00pm IST. In one of the phone calls, it is reported that the caller said, "Ejaz, kaam ho gaya hai?", which translates to "Ejaz, has the job been done?"
• Two cars, both stolen Maruti Wagon R models with vehicle license plates reading "GJ-6-CD 3569" and "GJ-5-CD 2908" were also found in Surat. One of the cars had four live bombs which were defused. In addition, a wooden box with white powder, wires, a battery and shrapnel was also found near Nupur hospital. The cars used for bombings in Ahmedabad and those that were defused in Surat were eventually traced to Navi Mumbai, from where they had been stolen on 7 and 15 July 2008. Investigations revealed that they were subsequently laden with explosives in Vadodara, before being brought to Ahmedabad and Surat.
• On 30 July 2008, it was reported that the police had found CCTV footage of the driver of one of the cars used for the bombings. The photo was obtained from a toll booth near Pune. It had been earlier established that the bombers had stolen the cars from Navi Mumbai before driving it to Gujarat. The car used in the blast at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital was driven 6 times between Ahmedabad and Surat between 7 and 24 July.
• On 4 August 2008, the Gujarat police claimed to have their first breakthrough in the case with the identification of the shop from where the LPG cylinders used for the blasts were bought. The police also claimed that the crates in which the bombs were planted were made from locally purchased wood.

Suspects

• The Hindustan Times reported on 28 July 2008 that police and intelligence officials had zeroed in on three masterminds behind the blasts. The suspects, Rasool Khan Yakoob Khan Pathan alias Rasool 'Party', Sohail Khan and Mufti Sufiyan, are suspected to be key operatives of either the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) or the Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HuJI). They are also believed to have got to Pakistan after the 2002 Gujarat riots.

• On 29 July 2008, the police detained three suspects, Abdul Qadir, Hasil Mohammad and Hussain Ibrahim, near Limdi on Rajkot-Ahmedabad highway in Surendranagar district, while they were leaving Ahmedabad soon after the blasts
• On 30 July 2008, it was reported on Rediff that the Intelligence Bureau (IB) believed two men, Rasool Khan Parti and Mohammad Sufiya Ahmed Patangiya, who are currently living at Farahan Arcade Gulistan in Karachi were the masterminds behind both the Ahmedabad and the 2008 Bangalore serial blasts. They were previously residents of Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh, and are members of Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami. The Gujarat Police has been looking for them in connection to the murder of former Gujarat state minister Haren Pandya.
• On 16 August 2008, the Gujarat Police announced that they had solved the case, making it the fastest terrorism case to be solved in recent years. According to the Gujarat Director General of Police P.C.Pande, Mufti Abu Bashir was the mastermind behind the blasts, and up to 10 of his accomplices had been arrested.
• On 20 November 2008, the Gujarat Police claimed that Amir Raza Khan, a HuJI operative from Kolkatta now in Pakistan, was also the mastermind of the blasts. In a chargesheet filed by the Crime Branch, SIMI members Safdar Nagori, Hafez Hussain, Sibli Abdul Karim, Kamruddin Nagori, Amil Parvez and Mufti Abu Basher planned the attack and asked Abdus Subhan alias Tauqeer and Qayamuddin Kapadia for executing the blasts. SIMI members organised terror training camps in Waghamon in Kerala and Halol near Vadodara. Qayamuddin and Tauqeer then held a meeting with their local contacts in the city for arrangements of logistics and support to carry out the conspiracy. The local contacts were those who were associated with SIMI before it was banned in 2001 by the Central Government.

Arrests

• Maulana Abdul Halim, a suspected Students Islamic Movement of India activist, was arrested from Dani Limda in the heart of Ahmedabad on 27 July 2008. He was alleged to be involved in instigating the Muslim youth after the 2002 Gujarat violence and sending them to Uttar Pradesh for terror training. Charges have also been laid on him for sending 33 youths for terror training to Pakistan in 2003. After his arrest, he was remanded to a 14-day police custody by the Metropolitan Magistrate in Ahmedabad.
• On 15 August, the Gujarat police arrested Mufti Abu Bashir, and nine others, in connection to the bombings. Bashir belongs to Binapara village in Azamgarh district of eastern Uttar Pradesh, and was believed to be a SIMI activist.
• On 24 October, a SIMI activist, Abdul Razik Mansuri, a resident of Gomtipur area Nagda district, Madhya Pradesh, had been arrested along with Harun Rashid, a Gujrat residence and send to Gujarat for questioning. The Joint Commissioner of Police for the crime branch, Ashish Bhatia, said: "He was arrested from the Nagda district in Madhya Pradesh by our team. He was there staying with some of his relative. We have brought him to Ahmedabad for interrogation." He added that Mansuri was likely to be produced before a court in Ahmedabad to be remanded to judicial custody.
• 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 attack, In Ujjain. 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 special cell of Delhi Police.
• On 13 November, Rafiuddin Kapadia, the brother of the key accused, Qayamuddin Kapadia, was arrested by the city police of Ahmedabad. His arrest took the toll of the total held by the police to 43. The Joint Commissioner of Police, Ashish Bhatia, who is heading the probe in the serial blasts case, said: "We have arrested Rafiuddin Kapadia, brother of Qayamuddin. He was present at the SIMI training camp in Halol near Vadodara. He originally hails from Vadodara and was arrested today from Ahmedabad by the crime branch officials."
• On 26 March 2012, Maharashtra ATS arrested one blast suspect Mohammed Abrar Babu Khan alias Abrar Shaikh in an encounter in Sambhajinagar. Khaleel Qureshi was killed and Mohammed Shakeer was wounded in the encounter. All are alleged to be members of terrorist group Indian Mujahideen. A police constable was also injured during the firing.
• On 19 June 2016, Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad, arrested Nasir Rangrez from Belgaum.

Legal case

Controversy arose in the court case of the 26 accused as the state was alleged to have suppressed the legal rights of the accused. On 23 October lawyers of the accused walked out in protest against the stand taken by the Metropolitan Magistrate. The lawyers wanted to meet the accused alone, however, they had moved an application stating that police did not allow them to meet their clients alone and that the Court should direct the police not to remain present while they were talking to the accused. The Metropolitan Magistrate countered that it was not possible as police had to be with the accused. He is said to have hinted at collusion between the lawyers and the accused, causing a walk out by the accused's lawyers. The next day, in two different cases, the designated Metropolitan Court remanded all the 26 accused to police custody until 31 October.

As per the legal rules police have to file a chargesheet in any case before 90 days of the first arrest of the case. However, on 11 November, about three and half months after blasts and the late July arrest, the Gujarat police filed a chargesheet, pertaining to the city civil hospital blast and L G hospital blast case, in a court naming 26 people, all with alleged linked to SIMI, as accuseds in the case. A 2,000-page chargesheet was filed in the court of the Metropolitan Magistrate, G M Patel. The accused included SIMI activists Mufti Abu Basher, Safdar Nagori and Sajid Mansuri. The chargesheet also listed the names of 50 absconders, and that police had so far examined 511 potential witnesses.

Similarities

Similarities between the Bangalore and Ahmedabad bombings were investigated, where the former suffered from eight blasts and the latter 21. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Prakash Jaiswal told reporters in Kanpur that the similarities between this and the Bangalore blasts was that both "blasts were of low intensity" and were planted in crowded areas. Furthermore, both states – Karnataka and Gujarat – have BJP led governments.

Further threats

The threat of terror continued even after Ahmedabad blasts. The Gujarat police discovered an active bomb which was set to detonate at 12:00am IST in Hatkeshwar, Maninagar. A bomb squad was quick to respond and successfully managed to defuse the bomb in front of a large crowd, which rose to jubilation and applause upon bomb's defusion.

Kerala

A phone call from Pakistan to a Karnataka journalist claimed there would be more blasts in Kerala on Sunday. Kerala police chief Raman Srivastava said: "I have been informed by the DGP of Karnataka about the terror threat to Kerala. We spoke to the journalist concerned, who said he had received two calls today – one at 1 pm and another at 3:30 pm."

Surat

On the following Monday, just days after the Ahmedabad blasts, another bomb was found in Varachha area of Surat. The bomb was placed near an electricity transmitter and contained a packet 700–800 grams of ammonium nitrate, a packet of shrapnel, two detonators, one battery, and a circuit. This was found after the two car bombs that were discovered immediately after Ahmedabad attacks.

On Tuesday, 29 July, eighteen bombs were found in Surat, and were subsequently defused. They were found mainly in the diamond-processing and residential areas of Surat, within a span of just four hours. According to the Times of India, a top government official believed that the planting of so many "unexploded" bombs was probably a means to divert attention of the police from the ongoing blast probe. After Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi visited the city another bomb was found and defused by a bomb disposal squad. All in all, 23 bombs were found in three days in Surat.

Forensic investigations revealed that the bombs had not exploded because the circuits had been wrongly assembled. The police were not sure whether that was on purpose or a way to estimate the reaction time of the bomb squad, for planning future attacks.

Rajasthan

Three bombs were detected on the road in Pali district, near Marwar Junction in Rajasthan. The bombs, put in half-litre oil containers, were planted on the Marwar-Ranawas Road at gap of one km and were spotted by onlookers. The box carried a bundle of fuse wire, 30–40 marbles, 8 iron plates, and detonator. There was no timer nor any electronic device attached to the explosives. The bombs were defused by the bomb squad.

Tamil Nadu

In Tamil Nadu, Sheikh Abdul Ghaffoor, 39, was arrested with an alleged plan of carrying out bombings on Independence Day, 15 August 2008. The plot included bombing the state capital Chennai along with three other cities in Tamil Nadu and at least six trains. Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai is believed to be on top of the list for such terror attack. The man was detained with a large cache of explosives and two timer devices. Apparently, it is believed that the plot was revealed by an arrested leader, P Ali Abdullah, of a banned organisation, who has been serving sentences in an Indian jail since 2003. Chennai city police later on 1 August 2008 announced that the arrests were not linked with either the Ahmedabad or Bangalore blasts.

Kolkata

An E-Mail was sent to Kolkata on 29 July 2008 to bomb 8 different locations in Kolkata. Subsequently, high alert was placed in Kolkata but the e-mail turned out to be a hoax.

New Delhi

Another email was sent to the Japanese Embassy in New Delhi on 30 July 2008 to bomb several locations in Delhi. The mail was forwarded to the Delhi Police from the embassy and the city was placed under a Red Alert. The email threatened to bomb Sarojini Nagar, which had been a target in the October 2005 bombings. Further to these threats Japan closed its embassy in New Delhi on 31 July 2008 and also issue warning to its citizens living in India to avoid crowded places like markets and train stations. Nevertheless, the initial examination of a youth arrested for sending emails to the Japanese embassy indicated that he might suffer from some mental problems. Delhi police revealed that the youth who sent the email was frustrated of a failed visa application to the embassy and the email threat was a hoax.

Criticism

In criticizing the central government Ajai Sahni, executive director of the Institute for Conflict Management said "India's police to population ratio is one of the lowest in the world, barring the poorer African countries. There is a high deficit of personnel in intelligence gathering. The IB has barely 3,500 field officers. We need to address these shortcomings."

P R Chari, a research professor at the Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies, said "the blasts were a demonstration of their (terrorists) capabilities and a terse reminder of the state's helplessness."

BJP president Rajnath Singh also blamed the UPA government for its "soft approach" to terrorism that has allowed terrorists to grow bolder. He also took the government to task for repealing POTA and for "sleeping over the anti-terror laws like GUJCOCA (an anti-terror law adopted by the Gujarat Assembly)". Gujarat Congress chief Siddharth Patel said: "'The Gujarat government has failed miserably on the law and order front." Adding that the terror attack pointed to the "total failure' of the state's intelligence machinery."

Sushma Swaraj, a senior leader of the BJP, at a press conference in Delhi, claimed the ruling UPA government had a conspiratorial hand in the blasts to divert attention from the allegations of bribery as well as to gain Muslim votes. The Times of India called her comments "scandalous" and "outrageous remarks". The Congress party's spokesman, Shakeel Ahmed said that Sushma Swaraj should be "tried for treason" and her comments have "given a clean chit to terrorists and anti-national, disruptive forces both within and outside India". Later on 31 July 2008, BJP's spokesperson, Prakash Javdekar, clarified that the allegation of conspiracy made by Sushma Swaraj was her personal view and to the contrary the party viewed the attacks not as a conspiracy of the Congress party but as "an attack on the nation". Although Sushma Swaraj's comments were critically commented by some media and her own party, T. K. Arun, a columnist of The Economic Times suggested that investigations should also look into her point that some of the blasts occurred in Muslim locals of Ahmedabad and "that a large share of those getting slaughtered by the terrorists are Muslims".

Reaction

Hindu–Muslim Unity

It is widely believed that the attacks were carried out to bring about the levels of unrest Gujarat had seen after the Godhra train burning. It is believed that by targeting communally sensitive areas such as Sarkhej, Muslims attackers wanted to provoke and re-ignite communal disharmony and riots. Peaceful demonstrations held across Gujarat by both Hindus and Muslims called the attacks acts of cowardice. Such demonstrations of unity were also held in Delhi and Bhopal where Hindus and Muslims held candlelight vigils. Upon his visit to the region, Prime Minister Singh praised Gujarat's unity saying "I commend the people of Gujarat for the resilience they have shown. These terrorist acts are aimed at destroying our social fabric, undermining communal harmony and demoralising our people".

President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Vice-president Hamid Ansari, Chief Minister Narendra Modi, all condemned the blasts and appealed for calm. Minister of State for Home Affairs Shakeel Ahmed expressed surprise and shock at the successive attacks. Home Minister Shivraj Patil said: "we should assess the situation correctly and try to help the people, who have suffered and plan to see that these things do not happen afterwards."

Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party leader L. K. Advani condemned the blasts, and demanded that both Gujarat and Rajasthan should be allowed to go for their own anti-terror legislation.

The Bahujan Samaj Party questioned intelligence agencies failure to be alert to the blast conspiracy, and urged the state Congress to ask the UPA to approve GUJCOC act. The Vishva Hindu Parishad announced it planned a nationwide anti-jehadi movement from 28 July, and urged the government to act against terrorism "before it is late." AIADMK general secretary J. Jayalalithaa called for the revival of special act like POTA to "effectively counter terrorists and extremist outfits".

Others who condemned the blasts included the head of the Congress Party, Sonia Gandhi, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Prakash Jaiswal, CPI M, the All India Muslim Forum, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Sanchetna, Sahrwaru, Safar, AMWA, Muslim Majlise Mushavirat, Sarkhej Muslim Welfare Organisation, Ahmedabad Muslim Welfare Society, Sirat Committee, Aman Samuday, Anhad, Swabhiman Andolan, Lok Kala Manch, Samarpan, Sarvoday Sanskrutik Manch, Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, Bharatiya Moolnivasi Janjagran Abhiyan, and Action Aid (Gujarat).

International

Countries

•  Pakistan: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani condemned the bomb attacks in Bangalore and Ahmedabad, describing them as "acts of senseless violence against innocent persons". The Foreign Ministry released a statement saying, "Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani has strongly condemned the acts of terrorist violence in the Indian cities of Ahmedabad and Bangalore and expressed deep sympathies with the bereaved families and the victims of these dastardly acts of senseless violence against innocent persons."
•  United States: The US embassy released a statement "The US condemns the vicious terror attacks in Bangalore on Friday and Ahmedabad on Saturday" and extended condolences to the families of the bereaved.
•  Sri Lanka: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa condemned the serial blasts in a statement saying "I unreservedly condemn the cowardly terrorist attacks in Ahmedabad, India, yesterday, killing and injuring a large number of persons, as well as the terrorist attacks in Bangalore the previous day". The Executive President said "These wanton acts of terror by the forces are ranged against democracy...Sri Lanka being a country gravely affected by the scourge of terrorism for more than two decades, we understand well how the manipulators of terror seek to destroy harmonious relations among communities and the democratic traditions that prevail in our societies...My Government and I share the determination and commitment of the Government and people of India not to yield to this sustained threat of terror from those who seek to achieve their ends by inflicting maximum damage to the lives and limbs of civilians, disrupting their day to day lives and society at large."
•  Afghanistan: Afghan President Hamid Karzai called for a "collective struggle against terrorism which threatens the stability of the region. Terrorism is a serious threat against the international community and this evil phenomenon must be fought collectively."
•  France France: French President Nicolas Sarkozy wrote a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and offered to further strengthen cooperation in the battle against terrorism. He condemned the blasts saying they were "blind, cowardly and inhuman". In his letter he said, "On this occasion, I wish to assure you of the full solidarity of the 27 member-states of the EU and their determination to fight alongside the Indian government to eradicate the scourge of terrorism"

Unions

•  United Nations: Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned in the "strongest terms" the series of bombings in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad and stressed that no cause or grievance can justify terrorist acts.
•  European Union: European Union condemned the attack in a statement saying "The Presidency of the Council of European Union presents its deepest condolences to India, its government and its people, as well as to the victims and their families".

Trial and verdict

The trial merged 35 separated cases as a single case and was heard in a special court of Judge A. R. Patel in Ahmedabad. The trial began in 2009 and lasted for about 13 years. The hearing was concluded in September 2021. On 8 February 2022 the verdict was delivered pronouncing 28 accused acquitted due to lack of acceptable evidence while 49 as convicted. The sentences were provided on 18 February 2022, including 38 death sentences and 11 life imprisonments.

See also

• List of Islamist terrorist attacks
• List of terrorist incidents in 2008
• Abdul Subhan Qureshi
• Allegations of state terrorism committed by Pakistan

External links

• Ahmedabad Blasts in pictures India Today

References

1. ^ "Ahmedabad blasts: Toll rises". NDTV. 26 July 2008. Archived from the original on 29 July 2008. Retrieved 26 July 2008.
2. "Ahmedabad blasts claim two more victims". The Hindu. 1 August 2008. Archived from the original on 10 August 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2008.
3. ^ "Gujarat police release three sketches". The Hindu. Kasturi & Sons Ltd. 6 August 2008. Archived from the original on 4 October 2008. Retrieved 6 August 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
4. ^ "Death toll in Ahmedabad serial blasts rises to 55". Khabrein.info. 1 August 2008. Archived from the original on 4 October 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
5. "India court sentences 38 to death over 2008 Ahmedabad bombings". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
6. ^ "Ahmedabad, Bangalore blasts share similarities". NDTV. 26 July 2008. Archived from the original on 30 July 2008. Retrieved 26 July 2008.
7. ^ "Bangalore, Ahmedabad blasts uncannily similar". CNN-IBN. Global Broadcast News and Turner International. 27 July 2008. Archived from the original on 27 July 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2008.
8. "Five persons injured in Jharkhand blast". NDTV. 27 July 2008. Archived from the original on 30 July 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2008.
9. "Islamic Terrorism". 2 August 2008. Archived from the original on 2 August 2008. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
10. "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.
11. ^ Das, Rathin; A. Sharan (26 July 2008). "29 killed as 17 blasts rock Ahmedabad". Hindustan Times. HT Media Ltd. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 26 July 2008.
12. "India blasts toll up to 37". CNN. 27 July 2008. Archived from the original on 2 August 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2008.
13. ^ Abu Bashir behind Ahmedabad blasts: Police
14. ^ Langa, Mahesh (8 February 2022). "49 convicted, 28 acquitted in 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts case". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
15. ^ Ellis-Petersen, Hannah (18 February 2022). "Indian court sentences 38 people to death over 2008 bombings". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
16. "Indian cities on high alert after blasts". CNN. 27 July 2008. Archived from the original on 29 July 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2008.
17. "Ahmedabad serial blasts claim 45 lives". NDTV. 28 July 2008. Retrieved 28 July 2008.
18. "Live bombs defused in Ahmedabad, Surat". Zee News. 27 July 2008. Archived from the original on 27 July 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2008.
19. "Surat on high alert; 2 cars with explosives found". Rediff.com. 27 July 2008. Archived from the original on 4 August 2008. Retrieved 4 August 2008.
20. Rosenberg, Matthew (27 July 2008). "Islamic group claims India blasts that killed 45". Yahoo!. Archived from the original on 3 August 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2008.
21. "Islamic group claims India blasts that killed 45". Boston Herald. Herald Media. 27 July 2008. Archived from the original on 5 August 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2008.
22. ^ "Mukesh Ambani in Indian Mujahideen's e-mail". The Times of India. 27 July 2008. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2008.
23. "Ahmedabad blasts: Lie detector, narco tests on US national Haywood". The Times of India. 13 August 2008. Retrieved 13 August 2008.
24. "Ahmedabad blasts: PM asks people to maintain communal harmony". Express India. The Indian Express Group. 26 July 2008. Archived from the original on 6 August 2008. Retrieved 26 July 2008.
25. "It's a war against India: Narendra Modi". The Times of India. 27 July 2008. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2008.
26. "BJP-ruled states incur wrath of terrorists". The Times of India. 27 July 2008. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2008.
27. "Centre dispatches bomb experts team to Ahmedabad". Hindustan Times. HT Media Ltd. 26 July 2008. Archived from the original on 13 March 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2008.
28. "Experts see Wahabis in garb of Indian Mujahideen". The Times of India. 28 July 2008. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 28 July 2008.
29. "E-mail threat: Police raid Navi Mumbai residence". India Today Group. Living Media. 27 July 2008. Archived from the original on 3 August 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2008.
30. Ramesh, Randeep (15 May 2008). "Indian Mujahideen claims responsibility for Jaipur blasts". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 26 July 2008.
31. ^ I heard the culprit speaking on phone, claims witness Zee News Archived 30 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine
32. ^ "Two cars with explosives found in Surat". Archived 30 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
33. "Police defuse bombs found in Surat". Yahoo!. 29 July 2008. Retrieved 4 August 2008.
34. Shastri, Parth; Ali, S Ahmed (29 July 2008). "Cars started from Mumbai, bombs loaded in Vadodara". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 July 2008.
35. "Driver of one of the terror cars on CCTV". Archived from the original on 29 June 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
36. Dayal, Prashant (31 July 2008). "Car used in Ahmedabad Civil Hospital blast moved 6 times between cities". The Times of India. Retrieved 31 July 2008.
37. "Gujarat police claim their first breakthrough in blast case". Archived from the original on 5 July 2013. Retrieved 4 August 2008.
38. Desai, Stavan; A. Sharan (28 July 2008). "Ahmedabad blasts: Three masterminds under scanner". Hindustan Times. HT Media Ltd. Archived from the original on 11 January 2009. Retrieved 28 July 2008.
39. "Serial blasts: Ahmedabad police detains 3 men". Archived from the original on 5 July 2013. Retrieved 29 July 2008.
40. "IB identifies Pak-based masterminds". Archived from the original on 1 August 2008. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
41. "Gujarat cops crack serial blasts case". Archived from the original on 20 August 2008. Retrieved 20 August 2008.
42. "Ahmedabad blasts carried out on the direction of Pak's Amir Raza Khan". The Times of India. 20 November 2008. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2008.
43. "Ahmedabad blasts: SIMI activist held". Archived from the original on 30 July 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2008.
44. "More bombs, nation on alert". Archived 11 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine
45. "SIMI activist sent to 14-day police custody". Archived from the original on 5 July 2013. Retrieved 28 July 2008.
46. "Politics/Nation". The Times of India. 24 October 2008. Retrieved 25 October 2008.
47. "Ahmedabad blasts plotter held in MP". The Times of India. 11 November 2008. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2008.
48. http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/0/45C2E98CDE8EEB9F6525750000563334?OpenDocument
49. "ATS Guns Down Ahmedabad Terror Suspect, Arrests 1". outlook india. 26 March 2012. Archived from the original on 27 March 2012. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
50. "2008 Ahmedabad blasts: Accused nabbed from Karnataka". The Indian Express. 20 June 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
51. "Lawyers of Ahmedabad bomb blast accused walk out from Court". gujaratglobal.com. Archived from the original on 11 January 2009.
52. Court extends custody of 26 blast accused till Oct 31 – Indian Express
53. http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/0/542B4259CEC82590652574FF0048AB04?OpenDocument
54. "Terror call claims Kerala next on target". Archived from the original on 4 August 2008. Retrieved 28 July 2008.
55. ^ Another live bomb defused in Surat Times of India Archived 3 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine
56. "Ten live bombs found, panic grips Surat city". Archived from the original on 11 January 2009. Retrieved 29 July 2008.
57. "9 bombs defused in Surat". Archived from the original on 31 July 2008. Retrieved 29 July 2008.
58. NDTV.com: Surat: 18 bombs found, defused; 3 detained
59. "Live bombs an attempt to distract attention from probe". The Times of India. 29 July 2008. Retrieved 28 July 2008.
60. 23 bombs defused in Surat, India remains on edge – Newindpress.com
61. "Faulty chips saved Surat". Archived from the original on 11 January 2009. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
62. "Three bombs defused in Rajasthan". Archived from the original on 4 August 2008. Retrieved 29 July 2008.
63. ^ "Terror module busted in Tamil Nadu, 1 held". Archived 28 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
64. Chennai next terror target? Bomb-maker held in Nellai Archived 31 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine
66. UPDATE 1-Japan closes India visa office, warns over bombings, Reuters.com. Accessed 11 September 2024.
67. Youth held for sending email threat to Japanese Embassy, indiatimes.com. Accessed 11 September 2024.
68. Terror email to Japanese Embassy a hoax: Police, Sify.com. Accessed 11 September 2024.
69. "BJP-ruled states incur wrath of terrorists". The Times of India. 27 July 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2008.
70. Bangalore, Ahmedabad blasts uncannily similar, ibnlive.com. Accessed 11 September 2024.
71. "Gujarat Congress blames Modi government for blasts". India eNews. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
72. Below the Belt – Times of India
73. BJP distances itself from Sushma remarks, Cong screams ‘treason!’ – The Statesman Archived 14 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine
74. Red-faced BJP clears the air, says blasts no conspiracy, Expressindia.com] Archived 14 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine
75. Sushma Swaraj makes a point, The Economic Times. Accessed 5 September 2024.
76. ^ "Blasts aimed at destroying social fabric: PM", The Times of India. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
77. "Toll rises to 45, army conducts flag marches in Ahmedabad", hindu.com Archived 31 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
78. Photos > Pictures, Wallpapers and Calendars from India's leading portal, hindustantimes.com. Archived 12 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine
79. "Day in Pics". The Times of India. 28 July 2008. Retrieved 28 July 2008.
80. NDTV.com: PM praises people of Gujarat for their resilience Archived 2 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine
81. "President deplores blasts, asks people to maintain peace". The Hindu. 26 July 2008. p. 1. Archived from the original on 29 July 2008. Retrieved 26 July 2008.
82. "President, PM condemn blasts". Rediff. 26 July 2008. Archived from the original on 29 July 2008. Retrieved 26 July 2008.
83. "Vice President condemns serial blasts in Ahmedabad". Outlook India. 26 July 2008. p. 1. Archived from the original on 1 August 2008. Retrieved 26 July 2008.
84. Centre 'surprised' over Ahmedabad blasts, Sify.com. Accessed 11 September 2024.
85. "Govt, BJP condemn Ahmedabad blasts". Zee News. 26 July 2008. p. 1. Archived from the original on 30 July 2008. Retrieved 26 July 2008.
86. "Togadia accuses Govt. of being soft on terrorists", hindu.com Archived 1 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 30 July 2008.
87. "Jayaalithaa demands revival of POTA". Archived 28 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
88. "Sonia Gandhi condemns Ahmedabad serial blasts", hindustantimes.com Archived 25 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
89. "CPM slams serial blasts in Ahmedabad", Sify.com. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
90. South Asia Contact Group Achieve: Condemnation of Banglore and Ahmedabad Blasts – Dr. M. K. Sherwani Archived 28 July 2012 at archive.today
91. The Hindu News Update Service Archived 1 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine
92. "Political parties, social organisations condemn blasts", expressindia.com Archived 3 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved July 2008.
93. ^ US, Pak condemn serial blasts India Today Group Online
94. NDTV.com: Pak PM condemns Bangalore, Ahmedabad blasts Archived 30 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine
95. ^ Int`l community says terror attacks in India "unacceptable" Zee News Archived 31 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine
96. "Sarkozy writes to PM over terror attacks". Archived from the original on 5 July 2013. Retrieved 28 July 2008.
97. NDTV.com: Ban Ki-moon condemns blasts in India Archived 2 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine
98. "India court sentences 38 to death over 2008 bombings". CNA. 18 February 2022. p. 1. Archived from the original on 18 February 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
99. ^ "09-02-2022 : Surat ePaper: Read Surat Local Hindi Newspaper Online,Page 1". Dainik Bhaskar (in Hindi). Retrieved 10 February 2022.

• 21st-century mass murder in India
• Terrorist incidents in India in 2008
• Islamic terrorism in India
• Indian Mujahideen attacks
• History of Ahmedabad
• Mass murder in 2008
• Bus bombings in India
• Building bombings in India
• Islamic terrorist incidents in 2008
• History of Islam in India
• Crime in Gujarat
• 2008 murders in India
• July 2008 events in India
• Events in Ahmedabad
• July 2008 crimes
• 2008 building bombings
• 2000s in Gujarat
• Hospital bombings in Asia
• Attacks on hospitals in India
• 2008 controversies
• Religious controversies in India
• 2008 in Indian politics