Thursday, July 13, 2006

History Repeats Itself.

Biggest terrorists attack since 93, 7 blasts took place along the western line!
Various Reports:

Terror Tuesday in Mumbai! At least 147 killed

Mumbai, July 11: At least 147 people were killed and over 430 injured in a series of eight terror blasts in first class compartments of suburban trains around 6 pm during the peak hour traffic here today. The blasts occured between 6 pm and 6.30 pm at Mahim, Bandra, Matunga, Borivili, Mira Road, Jogeshwari and Khar. Western Rly Helpline Nos: 022-22005388, 23094064, 23004000

Fifty bodies were brought to Bhaba hospital in Bandra, 20 to Sion in central Mumbai and ten each to KEM and V N Desai hospitals.

Mumbai Police Commissioner A N Roy said tonight that at least 100 bodies have been counted at blast sites or hospitals in different places.

Police suspect that it is a pre-planned subversive plot similar to the explosions that had rocked Mumbai in 1993 and 2002 and 2003.

At Matunga station, the blast was so powerful that it not only ripped through the first class coach but also blew off a portion of the platform shed. Bodies were scattered on the tracks while many injured, were attended to by fellow travellers on the platform before being rushed to nearby hospitals.

All suburban and long-distance trains on the Western railway lines were suspended and police cordoned off the major road intersections, railway stations and exit points.

Immediately after the blasts, people came out in large number to help the victims. Sudden heavy rains after an hour of the explosions made the job of rescuers difficult.

Confusion and fear prevailed among train commuters at all Western Railway stations as thousands could not make way to homes due to suspension of train services on the Western Line.

Roy asked passengers to use Central Railway lines that are functional, and BEST buses to reach their destinations.

However, passengers in a frenzy caught hold of any available four-wheeler, some times by force, at Churchgate station and other stations to get out of the commercial district.

Compensation announced

The Maharashtra Cabinet on Tuesday night assured a compensation of Rs one lakh rupees to the family members of those killed in the terror attacks in Mumbai. The Cabinet also assured to give Rs 50,000 to those injured and vowed to bear all expenditures of the wounded. To maintain peace and calm, the State government has called an all party meet on Wednesday and has sought Central help in the form of paramilitary forces to tackle any untoward incident.

PM appeals for calm

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tonight reviewed the security situation in the aftermath of blasts in Mumbai and Srinagar after which he expressed the government`s resolve to "fight and defeat the evil designs of terrorists".

He appealed to the people to maintain calm in the face of terror attacks in Mumbai and Srinagar after an emergency meeting at his residence with Home Minister Shivraj Patil and others.

Sonia, Patil, Lalu rush to Mumbai

Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad left for Mumbai tonight for an on-the-spot review of the situation in the wake of the serial blasts.

Security at all major airports tightened

Security at all airports across the country was beefed up following the synchronised serial blasts in running trains in Mumbai.

Quick reaction teams of paramilitary forces have been deployed at major airports, especially in Mumbai, Delhi and other metros, official sources said here.

The number of CISF personnel on duty at major airports have also been increased, they said.

The sources said the personnel on duty have been asked to take all precautions and conduct all necessary security checks at the airports.

Centre keeping close watch

The Centre is in constant touch with Maharashtra Government in the wake of the serial blasts in suburban trains in Mumbai and is closely monitoring the situation in the metropolis.

"We are closely watching the situation and gathering all information from railways and authorities in Mumbai," a senior Home Ministry official said and reiterated the Government`s determination to fight terrorism.

Intelligence reports

The sources in intelliegence have said that the role of LeT and Dawood cannot be ruled out. They also said that the twin Ghatkopar blasts of 1998 were the first incident of LeT`s involvement in Mumbai blasts.

High alert in Punjab and Haryana

The security agencies in Punjab and Haryana have been put on high alert in the wake of serial blasts in suburban trains in Mumbai this evening.

Police sources said that security agencies in the two states and Chandigarh have been asked to ensure proper watch at railway stations, bus stands and crowded market places.

Militant arrested in Delhi

A Kashmiri militant, key supplier of explosives in the national capital, has been arrested in South Delhi and 2.05 kg RDX seized from his possession, police said today.

Ajaz Hussain Khwaja, hailing from Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, was arrested from Lodhi road area yesterday after police received a tip-off about his movement, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Alok Kumar said.

Police is interrogating him to find out if he had any link with the serial blasts in Srinagar and Mumbai, which terrorist outfit he belonged to and his contacts in the capital.

An amount of Rs 49 lakh was also seized from his possession, police said adding according to their information Hussain was working for Pakistan-based militant Mukhtar Ahmed.

Bureau Report

http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=308478&sid=NAT&ssid=

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