7 Train Bombings in India Kill Up to 100

Chron.com ^ | July 11, 2006 | By RAMOLA TALWAR BADAM

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BOMBAY, India — Seven bombs hit Bombay's commuter rail network during rush hour Tuesday evening, killing as many as 100 people and wounding more than 300 in what authorities called a well-coordinated attack.

India's major cities were put on high alert after the blasts, and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called an emergency Cabinet meeting.

Chaos engulfed the crowded rail network in India's financial capital following the blasts that ripped apart train compartments as authorities struggled to treat the wounded amid heavy monsoon downpours. Doors and windows were blown off the train cars, and luggage and debris were strewn across the tracks.

Police Chief A.N. Roy said on Indian television that an estimated 100 people were killed and more than 250 were wounded.

"We are busy in the rescue operation. Our first priority is to rescue the injured people," he said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility in the bombings, which came in quick succession _ a common tactic employed by Kashmiri militants that have repeatedly targeted India's cities.

A senior Bombay police official, P.S. Pasricha, said the explosions were part of a well-coordinated attack. Vilasrao Deshmukh, the chief minister of Maharashtra state, where Bombay is located, said bombs had caused all seven blasts.

Indian Home Minister Shivraj Patil told reporters that authorities had had some information that an attack was coming, "but place and time was not known."

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one mumbay guy send dis....check dis out...

Dear Terrorist,

Even if you are not reading this we don't care. Time and again you tried
to disturb us and disrupt our life - killing innocent civilians by planting
bombs in trains, buses and cars. You have tried hard to bring death and
destruction, cause panic and fear and create communal disharmony but
everytime you were disgustingly unsuccessful. Do you know how we pass our
life in Mumbai? How much it takes for us to earn that single rupee? If you
wanted to give us a shock then we are sorry to say that you failed
miserably in your ulterior motives. Better look elsewere, not here.

We are not Hindus and Muslims or Gujaratis and Marathis or Punjabis and
Bengaliies. Nor do we distinguish ourselves as owners or workers, govt.
employees or private employees. WE ARE MUMBAIKERS (Bombay-ites, if you like).
We will not allow you to disrupt our life like this. On the last few
occassions when you struck (including the 7 deadly blasts in a single day
killing over 250 people and injuring 500+ in 1993), we went to work next day in
full strength. This time we cleared everything within a few hours and were
back to normal - the vendors placing their next order, businessmen
finalizing the next deals and the office workers rushing to catch the next
train. (Yes the same train you targetted)

Fathom this: Within 3 hours of the blasts, long queues of blood donating
volunteers were seen outside various hospital, where most of the injured
were admitted. By 12 midnight, the hospital had to issue a notification
that blood banks were full and they didn't require any more blood. The
next day, attendance at schools and office was close to 100%, trains & buses
were packed to the brim, the crowds were back. The city has simply dusted
itself off and moved on - perhaps with greater vigour.

We are Mumbaikers and we live like brothers in times like this. So, do not
dare to threaten us with your crackers. The spirit of Mumbai is very
strong and can not be harmed.

Please forward this to others. U never know, by chance it may come to hands of a terrorist in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq or wherever, we dont care and if he is literate enough, he can read this message which is specially meant for him!!!

With Love,
From the people of Mumbai (Bombay) INDIA