Seven explosions have killed at least sixty people (possibly closer to 100), including two US citizens, this morning in Mumbai, India.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,202920,00.html
The question then becomes this: if we bombed Libya for the disco bombing in Germany that killed a few US citizens, do we do the same thing this time around? Maybe not overtly and right away, but if I were in charge I’d be on the phone pledging whatever support I could offer to India to eliminate whatever threat is behind this.
By: Primate - 11th July 2006 at 20:13
The latest figures say that at least 160 people have been killed. Approximately 460 people are wounded.
By: Arabella-Cox - 11th July 2006 at 17:48
http://www.ndtv.com/breakingnews/default.asp?refno=711200695344PM
Tuesday, July 11, 2006 (Mumbai):
At least 137 people have been killed in the series of blasts that rocked Mumbai today.
Eight blasts took place on different railway stations in the city.
The first blast was reported near Khar Railway station in Mumbai, which left several people injured.
The incident took place at 6:09 pm (IST) in a local train from Churchgate to Borivali between Khar and Mahim stations on the Western Line.
Terror unleashed
The second blast was reported at Bandra station, while the third blast took place at Matunga.
Soon after, the fourth explosion took place at Jogeshwari, while two blasts were reported in Borivali.
The seventh blast was reported from Bhayandar station near Mira Road, while the eighth blast took place at Santacruz Station.
Police suspect that it is a pre-planned subversive plot similar to the explosions that had rocked Mumbai in 1993, 2002 and 2003.
All suburban and long-distance trains on the Western railway lines were suspended.
Police have also cordoned off the major road intersections, railway stations and exit points.
Many commuters were stranded after the explosions and additional buses have been deployed in Mumbai to cope with the situation.
“Our priority is to ensure that nothing untoward takes place as a result of the blast,” said Mumbai Police Commissioner A N Roy.
The blasts were targeted at commuters in the suburbs. It took place in the first class coaches during rush hour.
Mumbai airport has been put on alert and the trains from Mumbai to Gujarat have also been cancelled.
The other trains that stand cancelled are the Lok Shanti Express, Aravali Express, Awadh Express, Jaipur Superfast, Bandra-Bhavnagar Express, Gujarat Mail, Bombay Central-Indore Superfast, Golden Temple and the Surashtra Mail.
Planned attacks
Some of the injured have been taken to Lilavati hospital while others have been taken to Cooper and Hinduja hospitals.
Many others have also been admitted to KEM Hospital, V N Desai Hospital and Bhabha Hospital.
The Home Ministry has said that the terror attacks have been planned. High intensity explosives have been used in the attack.
In its wake, a countrywide alert has been sounded. The police will be verifying the nature of blasts.
The IB is probing the link between the blasts at Srinagar and Mumbai, and also looking at possible link with PoK polls.
However, Home Secretary VK Duggal has said that there is no link between the blasts in the two cities.
The Mumbai police were also probing links between the Mumbai blasts and the seizures of two suspected Lashker-e-Taiba modules early this year.
However, LeT has denied any hand in the incident. “We condemn Srinagar, Mumbai blasts,” said their spokesperson.
Railway Minister Lalu Yadav will also be visiting the city to assess the situation.
“We will provide adequate compensation to those dead or injured. For now, local trains are being searched and we are taking more precautions,” he said.
Security review
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also reviewed the security situation in the wake of the series of bomb blasts in Mumbai and Srinagar.
Home Minister Shivraj Patil, National Security Adviser M K Narayanan and Home Secretary V K Duggal attended the specially convened meeting in New Delhi.
After an hour-long emergency meeting, Patil read out a statement by the Prime Minister.
“The series of blasts in Jammu and Kashmir and in Mumbai are shocking and cowardly attempts to spread a feeling of fear and terror among our citizens,” said the statement.
“My heart reaches out and grieves for all those affected by these blasts and who have lost their near and dear. I condemn these shameful acts aimed at our peace loving people,” it added.
President A P J Abdul Kalam termed the blasts in Jammu and Kashmir and Mumbai as “inhuman”.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who will be going to Mumbai, also expressed shock over the blasts.
She also asked the Maharashtra government to tighten security measures and ensure maintenance of peace and harmony.
Targeting UPA govt
BJP leader LK Advani on the other hand, has said that the UPA government is soft on terrorists.
“In the last few days, BJP has reiterated that the country under the regime of the present UPA government, is facing a big threat of terrorism, naxalism and many others. Due to the policies of the central government, the country is in danger,” said Advani.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh has announced a compensation of Rs one lakh for the relatives of those killed and Rs 50,000 for those injured.
He also appealed to people to maintain calm and not venture out unless required. (With PTI inputs)
Also, the ‘usual’ from Kashmir
Tuesday, July 11, 2006 (Srinagar):
Violence returned to Kashmir today when grenade attacks killed eight people and injured 36 others in Srinagar.
In the first attack, terrorists threw a grenade on a tourist vehicle near Sultan Bakery in Dalgate Chowk around 11:50 am (IST), killing five people and injuring 12.
In less than an hour of the first attack, a second attack took place near Regal chowk, where a grenade was thrown on a Maruti car, injuring three people including a CRPF jawan.
Soon after, there was a third blast in the Lal Chowk area of the city, which targeted a Tata Sumo jeep, injuring five people.
Following this, there was a fourth blast in Adiguzar in Lal Chowk, which injured two people.
Just when things were beginning to quieten down, at 3:00 pm, the Tourist Reception Centre taxi stand was hit by a fifth blast.
Most of the casualties from the attack are said to be tourists from West Bengal.
“When we reached Dalgate from the hotel, the first grenade was hurled and we started looking around. Then a second grenade was thrown. We were sitting in the back and some local people came and told us that we should leave,” said an injured tourist.
“A grenade was thrown inside the car and while I was trying to throw it out, it exploded,” added another.
The West Bengal government will send a high-level delegation led by state Tourism Minister Manab Mukherjee to Srinagar to make arrangements for bringing back the bodies of five tourists killed in the grenade attack.
The delegation will also oversee the treatment of all those injured.
Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee meanwhile, said he was in constant touch with the Jammu and Kashmir administration.
“I also talked to the J&K government”, he said.
Terror infrastructure
Union Home Secretary V K Duggal said the terror infrastructure in the valley is still intact and alive.
“We are deeply concerned and the strongest possible measures will be taken. This fits into the overall scenario of locals being hired to lob grenades. We will nab the culprits soon,” said Duggal.
This was the sixth attack on tourists in the Kashmir Valley since the beginning of this year’s tourist season.
Eyewitness accounts,
http://ia.rediff.com/news/2006/jul/11blastreaders.htm?q=tp&file=.htm
Don’t expect India to do anything other than blame xyz, spew political rhetoric, not respond and wait for the next attack which will certainly happen. Not many in India realise the value of human life. The GoI still has’nt taken defence seriously.
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July 11, 2006 at 4:05 pm