Mumbai Train Bombings: 17 Years After Train Bombings: A Look Back

News
Jul 10 2024 07:30 PM
P C Thomas

On the evening of July 11, 2006, Mumbai's bustling commuter train system was shattered by a series of coordinated bomb attacks. During peak travel time, these blasts tragically claimed the lives of over 200 people and left more than 800 injured. Within just 11 minutes, seven bombs detonated in different suburban train compartments.

July 11, 2024, marks the seventeenth anniversary of this horrific event. The attacks were carried out by terrorist organizations with connections to Pakistan, primarily Lashkar-e-Taiba. These extremists targeted the busy heart of Mumbai to instill fear and chaos throughout the city.

A Timeline of the Attacks

6:24 PM: A northbound train from Churchgate was hit between Khar Road and Santacruz, killing 9 people in a first-class carriage.
6:24 PM: Another bomb exploded in a first-class carriage between Bandra and Khar Road, resulting in 22 deaths on the 5:50 PM Fast Local from Churchgate to Borivali.
6:25 PM: An explosion occurred at Jogeshwari (platform 1) on the 5:37 PM Slow Local from Churchgate to Borivali, killing 28 people in the first-class compartment.
6:26 PM: At Mahim Junction (platform 3), the 5:54 PM Fast Local from Churchgate to Borivali was targeted, leaving 43 dead.
6:29 PM: Another bomb targeted a train between Mira Road and Bhayandar, killing 31 people.
6:30 PM: The first-class compartment of the 5:57 PM Fast Local from Churchgate to Virar was attacked, resulting in 28 deaths.
6:35 PM: The final blast occurred in the first-class compartment of the 5:37 PM Fast Local from Churchgate to Virar at Borivali, killing 26 people.

In just 11 minutes, 206 lives were lost and over 714 people were injured. The aftermath saw significant developments, including arrests and inquiries. Twelve Muslims were found guilty, linked to various Islamic terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, the Students Islamic Movement of India, and the Indian Mujahideen.

The court sentenced 12 out of 13 arrested individuals to death or life imprisonment, including Kamal Ansari, Faisal Shaikh, Estesham Siddiqui, Naveed Khan, Asif Bashir Khan, and others. One accused was acquitted.

Key Events Following the Attacks

July 11, 2006: Seven RDX bombs exploded in first-class compartments of Mumbai local trains.
July 14, 2006: Lashkar-e-Qahhar, associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility via an email to an Indian TV channel.
July 17, 2006: Forensic analysis revealed the use of RDX and Ammonium Nitrate in the bombs, assembled in Chembur and placed in pressure cookers.
July 18, 2006: A memorial service was held in Mumbai, with then-President Abdul Kalam leading a two-minute silence.
July 21, 2006: Three suspects were arrested.
November 2006: The Anti-Terrorism Squad filed a chargesheet naming 13 arrested and 15 absconding individuals under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).
June 2007: Accused challenged the constitutional validity of MCOCA in the Supreme Court, resulting in a stay on the trial.
September 2008: Contradictory findings emerged from the Mumbai Crime Branch and ATS regarding the involvement of Indian Mujahideen and Pakistani nationals.
February 2009: Indian Mujahideen leader Sadiq Sheikh confessed to the bombings in a news broadcast.
February 2010: Lawyer Shahid Azmi, who defended some accused, was killed in his office.
August 2013: IM co-founder Yasin Bhatkal, arrested at the Indo-Nepal border, claimed the bombings were in response to the 2002 Gujarat riots.
August 2014: The court concluded the trial and reserved judgment.
September 2015: The MCOCA court convicted 12 of the 13 arrested, sentencing five to death and seven to life imprisonment, with one acquitted.