A cat sneaks in as an Indian policeman sits guard at Zaveri bazar, the site of an explosion in Mumbai, India, early Thursday, July 14, 2011. Three coordinated bombings tore through the heart of India's busy financial capital during rush hour Wednesday, killing dozens of people in the worst terror attack in the country since the 2008 Mumbai siege.
Indian police officers and investigators stand next to the debris, covered under blue plastic sheet, at Zaveri bazar, the site of an explosion in Mumbai, India, early Thursday, July 14, 2011. Three coordinated bombings tore through the heart of India's busy financial capital during rush hour Wednesday, killing dozens of people in the worst terror attack in the country since the 2008 Mumbai siege.
Indian police officers stand guard behind a barricade at the site of a blast near the Opera house in Mumbai, India, early Thursday, July 14, 2011. Near-simultaneous bomb blasts rocked three busy neighborhoods during evening rush hour in India's busy financial capital Wednesday, killing 17 people in another terrorist attack on the city besieged by militants nearly three years ago.
A plain-clothed policeman surveys the aftermath at the site of an explosion near the Opera House in Mumbai July 13, 2011. Three bombs rocked crowded districts of Mumbai during rush hour on Wednesday, killing at least 20 people in the biggest militant attack on India's financial capital since 2008 assaults blamed on Pakistan-based militants.
Police officers inspect the site of an explosion at Dadar in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, July 13, 2011. Three explosions rocked India's busy financial capital at rush-hour Wednesday, killing at least eight people and injuring 70 in what officials described as another terror strike on the city hit by militants nearly three years ago.
Policemen inspect the site of a bomb explosion at Zaveri bazar in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, July 13, 2011. Near-simultaneous bomb blasts rocked three busy neighborhoods during evening rush hour in India's busy financial capital Wednesday, killing at least 17 people in what the government called an apparent terrorist attack on the city beseiged by militants nearly three years ago.
A bomb squad member collects evidence at the site of an explosion at Dadar in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, July 13, 2011. Three explosions rocked India's busy financial capital at rush-hour Wednesday, killing at least eight people and injuring 70 in what officials described as another terror strike on the city hit by militants nearly three years ago.
Indian police officers look for clues at the blast site in Dadar Kabutarkhana area, in Mumbai on July 13, 2011. Multiple blasts have rocked India's financial hub Mumbai, police said, in what the Home Ministry described as a "terror strike". At least two people were killed and 100 injured in three separate blasts in the Indian commercial capital Mumbai, the home ministry said.
Indian police officers look for clues at the blast site in Dadar Kabutarkhana area, in Mumbai on July 13, 2011. At Multiple blasts have rocked India's financial hub Mumbai, police said, in what the Home Ministry described as a "terror strike". At least two people were killed and 100 injured in three separate blasts in the Indian commercial capital Mumbai, the home ministry said.
Indian police cordon off the area of a bomb blast site in Dadar Kabutarkhana area, in Mumbai on July 13, 2011. Multiple blasts have rocked India's financial hub Mumbai, police said, in what the Home Ministry described as a "terror strike". At least two people were killed and 100 injured in three separate blasts in the Indian commercial capital Mumbai, the home ministry said.
Indian policemen sit guard behind barricades at Zaveri bazar, the site of an explosion in Mumbai, India, early Thursday, July 14, 2011. Three coordinated bombings tore through the heart of India's busy financial capital during rush hour Wednesday, killing dozens of people in the worst terror attack in the country since the 2008 Mumbai siege.
Mumbai bomb blasts: These deaths could have been prevented
Nothing has changed since I reported on the 1993 attacks. Ministers issue platitudes, shift blame and focus on the cricket
Policemen at the blast site at Zaveri Bazaar on 15 July. CCTV cameras ordered after the last attack have still not been installed. Photograph: Divyakant Solanki/EPA
This week's bomb blasts in Mumbai have stirred up uncomfortable memories in the city. In 1993 I was one of the few television reporters covering the first Mumbai serial bomb blasts. The shock of 13 co-ordinated explosions going off simultaneously in the city was unimaginable. The scale of the operation and the audacity with which it had been executed was appalling.
Those attacks took place just after riots that followed the demolition of the Babri Masjid, and so there appeared to be a clear message. The deadly twisted wreckage spread through the city, and the enormous death toll revealed the malevolent design to hit India where it would hurt most. All the symbols of the city were carefully chosen: the stock market, Zaveri Bazaar, the Air India building … and so on.
Hospitals were full and overflowing, with Mumbaikars as well as migrants, all of whom still throng into the city seeking their daily bread, or rozi roti. I still cannot forget the terrified eyes of the child labourer whose body was imbedded with shards of glass. Or the mother who wept for her dead child. Or the family that had lost their brother, father, husband.
The government then, as now, spoke of intelligence failures. To cover up its mistakes, largesse was distributed to the families of the victims. A stunned city wrapped a bandage around its bleeding wounds, masked its grief and limped on. This was the first time we spoke about the "spirit of Mumbai". A cliche used every time the city is attacked. And each time the Mumbaikar realises, too late, that buried under this false praise he has been cheated of a secure life yet again.
Looking at this week's attacks, one wonders if anything has changed. It certainly doesn't seem as if the authorities are any better prepared. And that is fuelling the Mumbaikars' anger. Eighteen years of paying for failures of policy, of intelligence, and of governance, has led to a loss of life which was preventable.
There has been a shocking admission by the present chief minister,Prithviraj Chavan, that even the purchase of 5,000 CCTV cameras for Mumbai (a suggestion by the Ram Pradhan committee set up after the last attacks to examine security lapses) is still pending with the central government.
Chavan also confessed that he could not get in touch with his own police chiefs for 15 minutes after the blasts because all the phone networks were clogged. If this is how rapidly the government responds to an attack, is it any surprise that Mumbaikars are furious with ministers who surround themselves with high security and bodyguards, but have no money to spend on the aam aadmi, the common man?
The other worrying factor is that even after 48 hours since the incident, the government says it has no clue about the criminal mastermind behind it. This, some feel, could be a deliberate move since the Uttar Pradesh elections are around the corner, and it does not want to antagonise its Muslim vote through the old policy of arresting the usual suspects. In the past there have been embarrassing revelations about other blasts which had been blamed on Muslim "perpetrators" but are now said to have been committed by Hindu fundamentalists. However, the slow pace of investigations will also send out the wrong signal to the frustrated citizen.
The Mumbai mood is one of impatience, but it is unlikely that anything will really change. One strong indication of the status quo is that the day after this horrific attack, the former chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, who is also a minister in the Union government, was actually standing for elections for president of the cash-rich Maharashtra Cricket Association. This got almost the same coverage in the media as the bomb blast story.
The people of Mumbai who are orphaned and furious have little recourse than to curse Ajmal Qasab, the 2008 terrorist who is still behind bars in a Mumbai jail. "They spend crores [millions] on keeping him and Afzal Guru alive, but have no money to spend on us," was the complaint heard most often. (Afzal Guru was convicted for the attack on parliament in 2001.) Cricket as usual, one might say.
Three blasts in Mumbai; 17 dead, 131 injured
Yahoo! India News – Wed, Jul 13, 2011
Serial blasts struck Mumbai Wednesday evening, less than three years after the 26/11 terrorist attacks of 2008. The three blasts, in sequence, were timed at 6.30 pm, 6.45 pm, and 7 pm IST, and targeted in that order Zaveri Bazaar, Opera House and the Kabutarkhana area of Dadar West. Zaveri Bazaar, centre of the jewellery industry, is adjacent the iconic Mumbadevi temple from which the city derives its name; both Zaveri Bazaar and Kabutarkhana were also targeted in the 1993 serial blasts.
Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Thursday described Wednesday's three serial explosions Mumbai as unfortunate and warned that every city of India was vulnerable to coordinated attacks by terrorists.Here's a spreadsheet that's tracking offers and requests of help.
Refresh this page for latest updates on Mumbai blasts
==============================================================================================
9: 30 pm: Mumbai blasts: PM announces ex-gratia assistance for victims
The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has announced ex-gratia assistance of two lakh rupees each to the next of kin of the deceased in Mumbai bomb blasts.
"The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has announced ex-gratia assistance of two lakh rupees each to the next of kin of the deceased in bomb blasts in Mumbai yesterday and the assistance for those seriously injured in the blasts is one lakh rupees," a Prime Minister's Office release said. Read more
8: 30 pm: Lalu, Mulayam criticize Chidambaram for 'no intelligence failure' statement
Leaders of the regional Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Samajwadi Party (SP) criticized Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram over his statement that there was no intelligence failure on the serial blasts that rocked the financial capital of the country on Wednesday.
"Government does not have alertness there. Apart from investigations, dog squads are being sent, and they are telling the people to bear it. By saying all this it won't work. This should be taken seriously, and something should be done for the families who have lost their dear ones," RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav told mediapersons after a meeting with Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar. More
8: 00 pm: Premature to name militant outfit behind Mumbai blasts: UK Bansal
A day after serial blasts rocked the financial of the country, UK Bansal, Secretary (Internal Security) in the Home Ministry, on Thursday said it is premature to name any militant outfit behind the Mumbai blasts.
"It cannot be decisively said with confidence that which militant group is behind this incident and that is the reason why we are inquiring about all the militants groups and we are discussing about it, suspecting all the groups," he told media persons. More
7: 30 pm: Rahul Gandhi's statement condones militancy: BJP
Criticizing Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi over his comments on the Mumbai serial blasts, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said his statement abets militants in these blatant acts of violence.
"The statement made by Mr. Rahul Gandhi is most unfortunate. Such uncompassionate statements trying to condone terror is unacceptable and the Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) would like to state categorically that such statements would embolden all people indulging in terror, people who have plans against the country," BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy said. More
6: 30 pm: Mumbai blasts: Raj Thackeray points fingers at migrants
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray blamed the north Indians and migrant population, including illegal Bangaladeshis, in Mumbai for Wednesday's triple blasts which left 17 dead and 131 injured.
'Mumbai, Thane and other parts of the state are teeming with migrants from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and illegal Bangladeshis. Unless the government checks the influx of migrants, such acts of terror will not stop,' he said at a press conference. Full story
6: 00 pm: Government committed to combating terrorism: Rahul Gandhi
Congress General Rahul Gandhi said that it was virtually impossible to stop all terrorist attacks, though every attempt was being made by the government and security agencies to do so.
Gandhi said 99 percent of militant attacks on the country would be prevented, but one percent might still get through.
"We will stop 99 percent of the (militant) attacks. But one percent of attacks might get through and that is what I am saying," he told mediapersons here, a day after the serial blasts in Mumbai.
Gandhi appreciated the initiatives taken by Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram in combating militant attacks and described them as 'responses in an organised manner'. More
5: 30 pm: Maharashtra ATS chief Rakesh Maria pleads people not to give in to rumour mongering or spread rumours and assist in the investigation. He further briefs that :-
- Concentrating on detection of the blasts that took place yesterday evening.
- We are being closely assisted by central agencies.
- Because of rains it will take longer for the forensic experts to give an opinion on the blasts.
- We would like to assure the people that the accused will be brought to book and to have faith and trust in the police.
- We cannot say for sure in just 24 hours what has happened as long as the forensic reports comes in.
5: 00 pm: Mumbai blasts: Govt. must shed its ambivalence towards terrorism, says Advani
Hitting out at the Centre over Wednesday's serial blasts in Mumbai, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Lal Krishna Advani said the government must shed its ambivalence towards terrorism, and added that the repeated attacks on the financial capital of the country is not a failure of intelligence, but a failure of policy.
"The Government of India must shed its ambivalence towards terrorism. Yesterday's act should be of zero tolerance. It should not be condoned. It is not a failure of intelligence; it is a failure of policy," Times Now quoted Advani, as saying during his visit to the hospitals in Mumbai. More
4: 30 pm: PM Manmohan Singh to visit Mumbai today
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will visit Mumbai today evening, a day after India's financial and entertainment hub was hit by three serial blasts that killed 17 people and injured 131, an official in his office said.
'The prime minister will be visiting Mumbai today (Thursday),' the official said.
However, the timing of the visit was not revealed for security reasons. But it is likely that Manmohan Singh will take off from the capital after 5 p.m., sources said. More
4: 00 pm: Mumbai blasts an attempt to create tension between India, Pakistan: Farooq Abdullah
Condemning the serial blasts in Mumbai, Union Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah has said that it was an attempt to create tension between India and Pakistan by certain miscreants.
Addressing mediapersons here, Abdullah said: "We should not comment on the incident that has taken place in Mumbai till more details emerge. But one thing is clear the perpetrators of the blasts are those elements who do not wish to see normalcy in relations between India and Pakistan." Read more
3: 45 pm: Here is the list of the dead and injured at various hospitals in Mumbai. Click here
3: 20 pm: Terror attack failure of policy not intelligence: Advani
The serial blasts in Mumbai were a failure of policy and not just intelligence, veteran BJP leader LK Advani said. He also alleged that Pakistan could be sustaining the Indian Mujahideen, being blamed by some for the triple bombings the day before.
'It is a policy failure not intelligence failure. There have been repeated attacks on Mumbai, this is a failure of policy,' Advani said. Full story
3: 00 pm: Gaps in intelligence needs to be filled: Milind Deora
A day after serial blasts hit Mumbai, South Mumbai MP Milind Deora said gaps in intelligence need to be filled.
'To be very specific, intelligence gathering is still an area where we need to improve upon. We need to understand and give credible inputs,' said Deora, who was appointed minister of state for communication and information technology Tuesday.
He added that even as 99 percent of the attacks were averted, one percent remained where people lost their loved ones. More
2: 30 pm: Twitteratti come to Mumbai blast victims' aid
Updating information about the injured or those missing in the Mumbai blasts and offering help of all kinds, the virtual world platform Twitter is being used to reach out to victims of the Wednesday attack.
A group of people on Twitter, for instance, have put together a detailed datasheet of the people who have been injured in the blasts and the hospitals they have been admitted to.
Open to be updated by others and constantly being done so, there is also a list of those who have gone missing after the triple blasts in the city. More
2: 15 pm: Zero terror tolerance needed: Advani
Senior BJP leader LK Advani reached Mumbai this morning. At a press conference, he said Mumbai has become a favorite terror target and that zero tolerance is needed on terror attacks.
He added that the attacks were a policy failure.
2: 00 pm: No change in Hillary Clinton's India visit: US envoy
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to India will take place as scheduled next week and has not been affected by the blasts in Mumbai, the US envoy A Peter Burleighe said.
Clinton will come here Monday on a three-day visit, during which India and the US will hold their second strategic dialogue at the level of foreign ministers. More
1: 45 pm: Train, flight services normal in Mumbai
But for some delays due to heavy rain, train and flight operations in India's commercial capital were normal Thursday morning, a day after a terror attack that left at least 17 people dead and 131 injured.
Regular crowds were seen on the suburban trains of both the central and western railway, as also the busses operated by the state government-run Bombay Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST), which form the backbone of the city's network. More
1: 30 pm: High alert across Indian cities following Mumbai blasts
A security alert was sounded across the country in the wake of serial blasts in Mumbai.
In Delhi, police personnel were deployed at public places like malls, cinema halls, parks, popular hangouts, ISBT and railway station.
In Ayodhya, police personnel carried out random checking of people and vehicles. Security was also tightened in Varanasi, which had seen a powerful bomb blast at the riverside Ghat in December last year. Full story
12: 55 pm: Mumbai limps back to normal after blasts
Life limped back to normal in Mumbai after serial blasts rocked the city. Displaying their stoic resilience against extremism and violence, locals continued with their daily routines.
"The people of Mumbai have proved time and again that we can never be cowed down by such acts of extremism. We will carry on with our daily lives no matter what happens. This is why, students are going to schools, housewives are coming to local shops to buy milk, and life has returned to normal in Mumbai," said Mohan Dutta. More here
12: 40 pm: Owner of car at blast site shaken, but alive
The Maruti Esteem you saw on TV, left damaged by the blast at Dadar yesterday evening, wasn't carrying the bomb, contrary to speculation. Bearing the number MH43A 9384, it was on its way to drop its passengers home: a mason, a painter, and the car's owner and driver, Deepak Patel (37).
Patel, among the fortunate ones who survived, would remember this fateful day for the rest of his life. Full story on NDTV
12: 30 pm: Mumbai 2011: A better response but never enough
On The Wall Street Journal, Prashant Agrawal writes about why Mumbai is the prime target for terrorist attacks and how Mumbaikars have learnt to cope with such attacks. Read the article here
12: 20 pm: 'Post 13/7, Pak terror groups still operating despite international pressure'
Pakistan-connected militant groups still operate despite international pressure after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks almost three years ago, Indian counter-terrorism officials and experts have said.
Testimony at a recent trial in the United States had revealed that officers of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) had helped Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) fund and plan the maritime assault, which killed 166 people.
Initial reports indicate that the latest attack involved bombs planted in strategic locations, a recurring tactic used by Indian affiliates of LeT-the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and the Indian Mujahideen.These groups still have the capacity to strike not just in Mumbai, but around the country," The Guardian quoted an Indian counter-terrorism official, as saying. Read more here
12: 00 pm: One more succumbs to injury; official death toll at 19
Rediff.com reports that Lalchand Ahuja, 45, who was admitted to St George's Hospital, has succumbed to his injuries. The latest fatality takes the toll to 19, with 130 injured. 22 remain on the seriously injured list.
11: 30 am: 'LeT hand in Mumbai attack will compel India to again break off talks with Pak'
India will be compelled to again break off recently resumed talks with Pakistan if investigators determine that Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) played a crucial role in the planning and implementation of yesterday's Mumbai attacks, said Lisa Curtis, former CIA officer and Senior Research Fellow at Washington's Heritage Foundation.
"The strength of the links of these bombings to the LeT will determine how India responds. If investigators determine that LeT members played a crucial role in the planning and implementation of today's attacks, the Indian leadership will be compelled to again break off recently resumed talks with Islamabad."
"If, on the other hand, investigations show that the IM carried out these bombings largely on its own, there will be less pressure on Indian leaders to immediately withdraw from the Indo-Pakistani dialogue," she added. Full story here
11:00 am: Summary of Chidambaram's Press Conference
Federal Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram, who flew down to Mumbai late last night, at a press conference hosted jointly with Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, summed up the ongoing investigations into the serial blasts of Wednesday. The blast at Kabutar Khana in Dadar, he said, was low intensity while the ones at Opera House and Zaveri Bazar ranged from medium to high.
Ammonium nitrate was the explosive used with timer devices, Chidambaram said while confirming 17 deaths and 131 injured, who have been admitted for treatment in 30 hospitals across the city. 26 of the injured have been discharged; another 82 are stable, and 23 are seriously injured. The sites were chosen with an eye on population density, the minister said.
The Home Minister said teams from NIA and NSG are working with the ATS and the Mumbai Crime Branch to run forensics and other investigations on the blast sites; the public will not be allowed in the area, he warned.
Chidambaram said it was too early to identify suspects; all groups are under suspicion and central and state agencies are working in concert to identify the perpetrators. The Home Minister added that there was no advance intelligence about the possibility of an attack. The lack of intelligence, he said later in response to a question, does not indicate a failure of the concerned agencies.
Praising the response of the civilians, the minister asked the media to exercise restraint and to refrain from pointless speculation.
Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan condoled with the families of those killed and injured, and announced honorariums of Rs 5 lakh to those killed, and Rs 50,000 to the injured.
Without delving deep into possible motives, Chidambaram in response to a question said the blasts could be in revenge for actions taken by the local police in the recent past. The minister also did not rule out the possibility that those opposed to the peace process might target the Indo-Pak talks scheduled for later this month.
Responding to questions, Chidambaram said no arrests have been made thus far. Saying that the government would take full responsibility for the attacks, the minister pointed out that many attacks had been foiled in the past months and years; "this one slipped through," Chidambaram said.
The minister said all three affected areas had CCTV cameras in place. It will take time and resources to expand such surveillance nation-wide, he pointed out. Stating that initial investigations were being carried out by various Indian agencies, he said foreign agencies would be called on to help in case of need.
Referring to the readiness of the police, Chidambaram pointed out that the capacity of the Mumbai police force had been increased "tremendously", and said there are gaps in every police organization in the world, including India. The threat of terror is universal and sustained vigilance is the only answer, he said.
The minister pointed out that the attacks targeted neither foreigners, nor any particular community -- the targeted places had a plurality of communities, he pointed out, adding that Zaveri Bazaar had sustained its third attack because of its commercial importance.
While stating that this was no time to trade political charges, Chidambaram in response to a question said he was disappointed with Pakistan's response on 26/11, and its lack of action in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
10:40 am: Every city of India vulnerable to coordinated attack by terrorists: Chidambaram
Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Thursday described Wednesday's three serial explosions Mumbai as unfortunate and warned that every city of India was vulnerable to coordinated attacks by terrorists.
Addressing a joint press conference with Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan here, Chidambaram said that a remote control device triggered off the explosions.
He said that ammonium nitrate was used in the explosions and added that it was unfortunate that in recent times, Pune and Mumbai had been the prime targets of the terrorists.
He said that various investigative teams were on the job to find forensic evidence to pinpoint who or what group was actually responsible for the explosions. He also said that in the 31 months since 26/11, the actionable response to such terror incidents and their aftermath had been praiseworthy.
"The three blasts, which ripped through the bustling Mumbai was timed just a few minutes apart with the first taking off at 6:45 p.m. Therefore, we infer this was a coordinated attack by terrorists," Chidambaram said.
10:30 am: Q+A - Who could be behind the Mumbai blasts?
No one has claimed responsibility. Security analysts say the pattern of the attack points to a local militant group called the Indian Mujahideen (IM).
A remote possibility is the Pakistan-based separatist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), known for its sympathies for al Qaeda and blamed for the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people. Here's an analysis
10:15 am: Here's a timeline of bomb attacks in Maharashtra since 1993. Well, it's alarming!
10:05 am: No leads in Mumbai bomb attacks
India's home affairs minister Palaniappan Chidambaram says investigators have no immediate leads as to who was behind the triple bombing in the city of Mumbai that killed 17 people.
Chidambaram told a news conference Thursday that the blasts in three separate neighborhoods were "a coordinated terror attack."
He says the bombs were made of ammonium nitrate and were not remotely triggered.
There were no immediate leads as to the culprits and there were no intelligence warnings of a possible attack he added.
He lowered the casualty toll to 17 confirmed deaths and 131 injuries. He said a severed head was found that could be an 18th casualty. He did not explain the discrepancy from an earlier government statement that confirmed 21 deaths.
9:45 am: P Chidambaram says 17 people confirmed dead in Mumbai attack, not previous 21
The terror attack in Mumbai on Wednesday was the 13th attack on the city in 20 years. Amid the chaos, phonelines were jammed, traffic movement restricted and Mumbaikars stranded. But something was different this time, the users of the social networking site Twitter came together with three innocuous hashtags - #here2help, #needhelp and #mumbai which was trending all through Wednesday evening.
People on Twitter, kept the networking site updated with vital information they received on the Mumbai blasts. They helped in spreading the much needed call for help.
Twitter user Satyarth tweeted, "Food, support, time, companion, friend, blood (B +ve) - please feel free to ask fellow citizens. I am #here2help. I will do whatever I can."
Another Twitter user Sachin Malhotra tweeted, "#here2help... if taxis go off the road. Feel free to call and stay back at Chembur with my family." Full story on IBN
8:45 am: What security experts have to say about terror and Pak military
The timing of these blasts is very significant. Firstly, the India-Pakistan talks have resumed. Then the Kasab trials are going on in Pakistan. But most importantly, the Pakistani military is currently under attack from all quarters: politicians, civil society, their media and the Americans; also there is distinct unrest in their ranks. The Americans are speaking to them and using language that people wouldn’t use with their subordinates and they’ve made it very clear that if the Army doesn’t get their act together, they will stop all funding. So how does the Pakistani army respond? Well, they attack India. It’s a diversionary tactic. The intention is to provoke India in such a manner that we will be forced to retaliate and then all of Pakistan will close ranks behind its army and be united.
Most terrorists don’t repeat targets. The only reason they keep attacking Mumbai is because there is nothing that has shaken the psyche of the country like the last Mumbai attack and they want to repeat that effect. More
8:15 am: Indian shares seen lower on weak Asia, Mumbai blasts
Indian shares are set to open lower on Thursday, weighed down by losses in most other major Asian markets after Moody's warned the United States may lose its top-notch credit rating in the coming weeks.
Investors would also remain wary after three bombs rocked crowded districts of Mumbai on Wednesday evening, killing at least 21 people in the biggest militant attack on India's financial capital since 2008.
"We could see the market opening a bit weaker but that will be more due to global cues," said Ambareesh Baliga, chief operating officer at Way2Wealth Securities. "I don't think the blasts will have a major impact on the market. We have seen this in the past."
Shares in Tata Consultancy Services , India's top software services exporter, would be watched ahead of its quarterly results scheduled to be announced after trading hours.
Traders would also be watching monthly inflation data due at 0630 GMT. India's wholesale price index probably rose 9.70 percent in June from a year earlier, quickening from May, on rising food and fuel prices, a Reuters poll showed.
8:00 am: Mumbai blasts: Is underworld behind the return of terror?
The security establishment was scrambling on Wednesday for any specific inputs that would give indications of who may have been behind the serial blasts that interrupted the past few months of lull from terror.
Sources were veering around to the opinion that the likelihood of underworld involvement was very high because of a host of factors. One official pointed out that the underworld has been "hyperactive" in recent weeks in Mumbai. There have been a number of reports about various developments in the underworld such as the killing of journalist J Dey and attacks on Dawood Ibrahim's brother's driver.Full story on ToI
7:00 am: Mumbai: Hot hunting ground for terror
Repeatedly hit over a half-a-dozen times since the early 1990s, India's financial capital has now become the favourite hunting ground for terror outfits. Over 600 people have died in these attacks. The macabre dance of death has unnerved citizens amid fears that Mumbai may go the Karachi way. Pakistan's port city, barely 800km from Mumbai, has been wracked with violence and bloodbath over the past few years.
"I am shocked beyond words. It proves yet again Mumbai's un-preparedness. Civilians are not on the radar of politicians, who live safely in their havens," said industrialist Dilip De. "It looks like a repeat telecast of the same incident. Politicians have already started the blame game and now the candle vigil marches will begin. The term security no longer has any meaning. It's a shame," said filmmaker and activist Ashoke Pandit. Former Mumbai police commissioner M N Singh, who headed the investigations into the serial blasts of 1993, said Mumbai will continue to be the prime target. "Mumbai has been attacked every three years since 2003. The city has a strong network of IM and SIMI. While the police upgraded its infrastructure and equipment after 26/11 attack, the focus should be on how to curb radicalization of youth from the minority community," he said. Read more on Times of India
6:00 am: Ammonium Nitrate used in the explosive devices, say sources
As Mumbai is still coming to terms with the triple terror strikes on Wednesday evening, security agencies are now probing the nature of blasts that ripped through the country's financial capital.
Initial investigations have revealed that Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were used at all the three blast sites - at a bus stop in Dadar, outside the popular snack shops in Zaveri Bazaar in South Mumbai and next to Opera House in South Mumbai again. Sources say that upto seven IEDs may have been used in the blasts. More on NDTV
4:00 am: Mumbai attacks: Indian Mujahideen suspected behind Mumbai blasts
A home-grown Islamist terrorist group, the Indian Mujahideen (IM), is suspected to be behind the three moderate to high intensity explosions in Mumbai on Wednesday which Home Minister P. Chidambaram said were "coordinated attack by terrorists".
The terror attack, which claimed nearly 20 lives, comes days after two suspected Indian Mujahideen operatives, who provided vehicles used in the 2008 serial blasts in Gujarat that killed 56 people, were arrested from a Mumbai suburb by the Maharashtra Anti-Terror Squad (ATS).
2:40 am: Chidambaram in Mumbai, visits blast sites
Barely five hours after the Mumbai blasts, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram rushed to Mumbai around midnight Wednesday-Thursday for a spot assessment of the triple blasts which left 21 dead and 141 injured.
He was accompanied by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and newly-appointed MoS from Mumbai, Milind Deora, and other high-ranking home department and police officials. More
2:10 am: We condemn these despicable acts of violence designed to provoke fear and division. It is more important than ever that we stand with India. I will be traveling to India next week as planned, says Hillary Clinton. Here is the full story
1:20 am: Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithiviraj Chavan confirms 21 dead and 141 injured so far; extent of injuries is not clearly known and casualties are expected to rise. Full story
14-07-2011
11:40 pm: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has released a list of the dead and the injured in the Mumbai blast. Click here for the list
11:24 pm: Bharatiya Janata Party strongly condemned the Mumbai blasts and said it hoped that the government would take a clear stand on the issue of ending terror infrastructure.
'No words can ably express the anguish over these dastardly attacks. We condemn them in strongest possible words. We share the sorrow of the victims,' party president Nitin Gadkari said.
'We hope the government will move beyond reacting from one blast to another and take a clear stand on issues like effective deterrence infrastructure. These blasts are a reminder of the facts that cases like Afzal Guru continue to wait for final action and government dithers from not talking to Pakistan,' the statement added.
11:17 pm: The posh South Mumbai jewellery market Zaveri Bazar became a terror strike target for the third time.
Zaveri Bazar was first targeted in August 1993 when 13 serial blasts ripped through the city, killing 257 people and injuring over 700.
The Aug 25, 2003 twin blasts - one at Gateway of India and another at Zaveri Bazar -killed 54 people and injured another 244.
11:10 pm: The Vice President Hamid Ansari has strongly condemned the heinous terrorist attacks that occurred in various areas of Mumbai today.
He expressed deep shock at the scale of the attacks targeted against innocent people that have caused numerous fatalities and casualties. He said that such terrorist acts are aimed at destabilising the nation and urged all citizens to unite in this critical hour. He expressed deepest condolences to the families of those killed and injured in the attacks.
The Vice President reiterated the national resolve to fight terrorism in all of its malevolent manifestations.
11:00 pm: UK foreign secretary, William Hague, condemns Mumbai attacks:
I send my deepest condolences to all those who have lost relatives or been injured in the bomb blasts in Mumbai. These were deplorable acts of terrorism. The UK stands firmly with India in the face of such atrocities. We are committed to working with the Indian government and our allies and partners to combat the threat from terrorism in all its forms.
10:50 pm: US President Barack Obama condemns Mumbai blast:
I strongly condemn the outrageous attacks in Mumbai, and my thoughts and prayers are with the wounded and those who have lost loved ones. The US government continues to monitor the situation, including the safety and security of our citizens. India is a close friend and partner of the United States. The American people will stand with the Indian people in times of trial, and we will offer support to India’s efforts to bring the perpetrators of these terrible crimes to justice. During my trip to Mumbai, I saw firsthand the strength and resilience of the Indian people, and I have no doubt that the India will overcome these deplorable terrorist attacks.
10:35 pm: PM Manmohan Singh's statement:
I strongly condemn the bomb blasts in Mumbai this evening. I have asked the Chief Minister of Maharashtra to do whatever is possible to provide relief to the injured and to the families of the deceased citizens. I have also asked Union Home Minister, Shri P. Chidambaram to provide all possible expert assistance to the State Government. I appeal to people of Mumbai to remain calm and show a united face.
10:27 pm: 'I was at my shop when I heard a deafening sound. I ran out to see what has happened. I saw a building rattling and people running here and there', said a eyewitness at one of the blast site.
10:22 pm: The blasts that rocked Mumbai were a 'coordinated attack by terrorists', Home Minister Chidambaram said. 'The blasts took place between 6.45 p.m. and 7 p.m. and therefore we infer from this that this was a coordinated attack by terrorists,' the home minister said.
10:15 pm: Ministry of home affairs have confirmed that 20 have been killed and 113 injured in the blast.
10:10 pm: Following are some major militant attacks on India in recent years.
March 7, 2006: At least 15 people are killed and 60 wounded in three blasts in Varanasi.
July 11, 2006: More than 180 people are killed in seven bomb explosions at railway stations and on trains in Mumbai. Islamist militants are blamed.
Sept. 8, 2006: At least 32 people are killed in a series of explosions, including one near a mosque, in Malegaon town, 260 km (160 miles) northeast of Mumbai.
Feb. 19, 2007: Two bombs explode aboard a train heading from India to Pakistan; at least 66 passengers, most of them Pakistanis, burn to death.Timeline
9:55 pm: President Patil wished speedy recovery for those injured in the blasts.
9:35 pm: Home Minister Chidambaram to reach Mumbai Thursday
9:30 pm: Manmohan Singh had a telephonic conversation with Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan following the three blasts that rocked Mumbai. Manmohan Singh has asked Chavan to keep him posted about the various developments taking place after the blasts.
9:23 pm: Advisory: the Mumbai Taxi Workers Union has confirmed that all cabs will go off the roads at midnight.
9:17 pm: NIA teams asked to join investigations in Mumbai blasts
9:13 pm: Maharashtra CM says that police have confirmed that 17 have been killed and 81 injured in the blasts.
9:10 pm: Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani have in official reactions condemned the blasts in Mumbai, expressed their sympathy for and solidarity with the Indian leadership and people, and condoled the victims.
9:07 pm: Home Ministry officials say that India had no advance intelligence indicating the possibility of such attacks.
9:03 pm: One CSFL team from Delhi and one from Hyderabad being rushed to Mumbai: Chidambaram
9:00 pm: Chidambaram says 10 people killed and 54 injured in the blasts
8:55 pm: In a brief statement to the press, Home Minister P Chidambaram said he was in constant touch with the Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chauhan, and said he would update the media on the situation and developments every two hours. The next update is due at 11 PM IST.
8:50 pm: Chidambaram appeals to people of Mumbai to remain calm and maintain peace.
8:47 pm: No incident of communal disharmony reported in the city after blasts: Milind Deora
8:45 pm: A vehicle with registration number MH-43 A 9384 was found damaged at the Dadar blast site. The police are enquiring about its details.
8:42 pm: Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chauhan has confirmed 13 dead in the blasts, and over 100 injured to various degrees of severity.
8:40 pm: Even as a BSF plane with NIA officials, forensics experts and anti-terrorist personnel are en route to Mumbai, Home Minister P Chidambaramhas taken the chair at an emergency Cabinet meeting.
8:37 pm: All injured taken to KEM and JJ hospital
8:36 pm: Opera House blast took place in Prasad Chambers, Panchratna lane which houses diamond traders
8:35 pm: Indian Mujahideen suspected for attacks: NDTV reports
8:34 pm: The blasts occured at 6.30, 6.45 and 7 pm in sequence
8:33 pm: Police control room nos: 22621855, 1983, 5020
8:30 pm: Top security and home ministry officials meet to assess situation
8:29 pm: Opera House blast took place in Panchratna lane
8:28 pm: Police have cordoned off the area. People are stranded in Dadar as the police are not allowing them to leave the place. It's raining and people are struck
8:28 pm: Dadar blast took place at bus stop near Kabhuthar Khaana
8:26 pm: Home Secretary RK Singh confirms that one blast took place in a Maruti Esteem
8:25 pm: Home Secretary RK Singh says all injured have been shifted to hospital
8:22 pm: Home secretary RK Singh says 2 killed and 100 people have been injured in the blast.
8:20 pm: Domestic and International airports in Mumbai reportedly sealed. CISF screening airport parking lots
8:17 pm: Home Minister Chidambaram to brief the media at 9:00 pm on the Mumbai blasts
8:14 pm: BSF forensic experts being readied to fly to Mumbai
8:12 pm: PM speaks to Maharastra CM on blasts; asks him to keep him posted
8:10 pm: Maharashtra Home Secretary claims 60 have been injured
8:07 pm: Local trains in Mumbai are still functional
8:05 pm: Police sources say improvised explosive devices used in the blasts
8:03 pm: IED used in blast: TV reports
8:02 pm: If you or your loved ones are injured in the Mumbai blasts, please call 022 6133 6133 - MeraDoctor lines are open for all
8:01 pm: Kabhuthar Khaana area in Dadar cordoned off
8:00 pm: It seems to be a terror attack: Home ministry
7:58 pm: TV reports say that 8 people have been killed and more than 70 injured
7:55 pm: Dadar blast victims taken to Kem hospital; Zaveri Bazaar blast victims taken to JJ hospital
7:54 pm: Zaveri Bazaar blast took place in a meter box of an electric pole
7:53 pm: Home Ministry puts NSG team on standby
7:52 pm: Teams of Maharashtra ATS rushed to the blast site
7:50 pm: One explosion was in a car in Dadar
7:50 pm: Cellular networks jammed across Mumbai
7:47 pm: Home Ministry confirms blasts are an act of Terrorism
7:45 pm: Security alert in Delhi after Mumbai blasts
7:43 pm: Chhagan Bhujpal refuses to give confirmation on mumber of injured
7:40 pm: Home ministry confirms blasts in Mumbai
7:35 pm: Probing a tiffin box found near the blast site: ACP
7:32 pm: 7:30 pm - Early reports indicate casualties in Zaveri Bazaar blast.
7:30 pm: Fire under control in Zaveri Bazaar, says eye witness.
7:25 pm: Eyewitnesses report hearing explosion sound near Kabuthar Khaana in Dadar. It is located next to Dadar Station.
7:20 pm: Home Ministry refuses to confirm that they are bomb blasts
7:15 pm: Three blasts reported from different parts of Mumbai - Dadar, Prasad Chambers in Opera House and Zaveri Bazaar.
