Several blasts rock Mumbai commuter trains

Tuesday, July 11, 2006 

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Seven explosions have been reported at various local railway stations in the city of Mumbai, India, the first occuring at 6:25 pm IST (GMT+5:30).

The first blast ripped through the first-class compartment of a local train from Churchgate to Borivili, near the Khar station. Subsequent blasts occured at Bhayandar station near Mira Road, Mahim station, Matunga, Jogeshwari and Borivali. A seventh blast has occured in the Khar-Santacruz subway. Local phone lines in Mumbai have been jammed. The Press Trust of India, quoting railway officials, said all seven explosions had targeted first-class cars.

Officials said at least 104 people have died in the blasts, although given the fact that Western Railway trains are very crowded during the evening rush hour, the figures could rise. Police are allegedly performing raids throughout India in response to the bombings, while officials in Mumbai claim the explosions were a deliberate attack. Heavy monsoon downpours have hampered the rescue efforts of the emergency services.

The Indian capital New Delhi has reportedly been put on high alert after the blasts. Airports across the country are also on high alert as are sensitive installations in Mumbai. Mumbai's train system has been suspended and calls are made to keep the public away from the city's train stations. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has called a emergency cabinet meeting.

The attack has the trademarks of Kashmiri militant groups like the Lashkar-e-Toiba which has set off bombs in quick succession in Indian cities before. India's domestic intelligence agency, the Intelligence Bureau, claims that this attack, as also the grenade attacks in Jammu and Kashmir earlier today were aimed at diverting attention from the elections being held in Pakistani Kashmir.

Meanwhile, a suspected terrorist has been arrested in Jangpura area of Central Delhi. The police have recovered 2 kg of explosives in his possession.

Local Helpline Numbers

Western Railway

• 022-2005388
• 131

Emergency Services

• 100
• 101

Sources

• "Terror returns to India" — Zee News, July 11, 2006
• "Carnage after train blasts" — Sky News, July 11, 2006
• "Serial blasts rock Mumbai, 100 killed" — NDTV, July 11, 2006
• "Scores dead in Mumbai explosions" — BBC News, July 11, 2006
• "70 killed in Mumbai train blasts" — CNN, July 11, 2006
• "Serial bomb blasts in Mumbai local trains" — Deccan Herald, July 11, 2006
• "Tuesday terror: Six blasts rock Mumbai railway stations" — Times of India, July 11, 2006