Jump to content

2008 Ahmedabad bombings: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
already indirectly in cat and/or AWB general fixes using AWB
 
(246 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|2008 terror attacks by Mujahideen in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox civilian attack
{{Infobox civilian attack
| title = 2008 Ahmedabad bombings
| title = 2008 Ahmedabad bombings
| image =
| image =
| caption =
| caption =
| location = [[Ahmedabad]], [[Gujarat]], [[India]]
| location = [[Ahmedabad]], [[Gujarat]], India
| coordinates =
| coordinates =
| date = [[26 July]] [[2008]]
| date = {{start date and age|2008|07|26|df=y}}
| time = 18:45 - 19:55<ref name="Ahme262008blast-NDTV"/>
| time = 18:45 19:55<ref name="Ahme262008blast-NDTV"/>
| timezone = [[Indian Standard Time| IST]]
| timezone = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| type = 21&nbsp;[[Bombing|Bomb blasts]]<ref>{{cite web| last =| first =| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =Ahmedabad blasts claim two more victims| work =[[Hindustan Times]]| publisher =[[HT Media Ltd]]| date =2008-08-01| url =http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/07/stories/2008080759931300.htm| format =| doi =| accessdate =2008-08-01 }}
| type = [[Bombing]]<ref>{{cite web| title =Ahmedabad blasts claim two more victims| date =1 August 2008| url =http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/07/stories/2008080759931300.htm| access-date =1 August 2008 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080810070008/http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/07/stories/2008080759931300.htm| archive-date= 10 August 2008 | work =[[The Hindu]]| url-status= dead}}
</ref>
</ref>
| fatalities = 56<ref name="Deaths">{{cite web| last =| first =| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =Gujarat police release three sketches| work =[[The Hindu]]| publisher =Kasturi & Sons Ltd| date =2008-08-06| url =http://www.khabrein.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15625&Itemid=88| format =| doi =| accessdate =2008-08-06 }}
| fatalities = 56<ref name="Deaths">{{cite web| title =Gujarat police release three sketches| work =[[The Hindu]]| publisher =Kasturi & Sons Ltd| date =6 August 2008| url =http://www.khabrein.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15625&Itemid=88| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20081004152410/http://www.khabrein.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15625&Itemid=88| url-status =usurped| archive-date =4 October 2008| access-date =6 August 2008 }}
</ref>
</ref>
| injuries = 200<ref name="Injuries">{{cite web| last =| first =| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =Death toll in Ahmedabad serial blasts rises to 55| work =| publisher =Khabrein.info| date =2008-08-01| url =http://www.khabrein.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15625&Itemid=88| format =| doi =| accessdate =2008-08-01 }}
| injuries = 200<ref name="Injuries">{{cite web| title =Death toll in Ahmedabad serial blasts rises to 55| publisher =Khabrein.info| date =1 August 2008| url =http://www.khabrein.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15625&Itemid=88| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20081004152410/http://www.khabrein.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15625&Itemid=88| url-status =usurped| archive-date =4 October 2008| access-date =1 August 2008 }}
</ref>
</ref>
| perps =
| convictions =
*Murder
| perp = [[Indian Mujahideen]]
*Attempted murder
| susperps =
*Property damage
| susperp = [[Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami]]
| verdict = All 49 convicts found guilty on 18 February 2022<ref>{{Cite web|title=India court sentences 38 to death over 2008 Ahmedabad bombings|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/18/ahmedabad-bombings-india-court-sentences-38-to-death|access-date=2022-02-19|publisher=Al Jazeera|language=en}}</ref>
| weapons =
*[[Death penalty]] to 38 convicts
*[[Life imprisonment]] to 11 convicts
| perp = [[Indian Mujahideen]] <br /> [[Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami]]
| weapons =
| convicted = 49 ([[2008 Ahmedabad bombings#Trial and Verdict|See list below]])
| accused = 77 (of which 28 were acquitted)
}}
}}
{{Campaignbox India terrorism}}


{{Terrorist attacks in India (since 2001)}}
The '''2008 Ahmedabad bombings''' were a series of 21&nbsp;bomb blasts that hit [[Ahmedabad]], [[India]], on [[July 26]], [[2008]], within a span of 70&nbsp;minutes. 56&nbsp;people were killed and over 200&nbsp;people were injured.<ref name="Deaths"/><ref name="Injuries"/> Ahmedabad is the cultural and commercial heart of Gujarat [[States and territories of India|state]], and a large part of [[West India|western India]]. The blasts were considered to be of low intensity, and were similar to the [[2008 Bangalore serial blasts|Bengaluru blasts]] which occurred the day before.<ref name=ndtvsim/><ref name=ibn/>
The '''2008 Ahmedabad bombings''' were a series of 21&nbsp;bomb blasts that hit [[Ahmedabad]], India, on 26 July 2008, within a span of 70&nbsp;minutes. Fifty-six people were killed and over 200&nbsp;people were injured.<ref name="Deaths"/><ref name="Injuries"/> Ahmedabad is the cultural and commercial heart of Gujarat [[States and territories of India|state]] and a large part of [[West India|western India]]. The blasts were considered to be of low intensity and were similar to the [[2008 Bangalore serial blasts|Bangalore blasts]], [[Karnataka]] which occurred the day before.<ref name=ndtvsim/><ref name=ibn/><ref name="jharblast">{{cite web| title =Five persons injured in Jharkhand blast| publisher =[[NDTV]]| date =27 July 2008| url =http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080058895| access-date =27 July 2008| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20080730033224/http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080058895| archive-date =30 July 2008| url-status =dead}}</ref> This bombings were done by [[Pakistani]] [[Islamic terrorism|Islamic Terrorist group]] [[Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-08-02 |title=Islamic Terrorism |url=http://cnnwire.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/27/india-blasts-toll-up-to-37/ |access-date=2022-05-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080802233922/http://cnnwire.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/27/india-blasts-toll-up-to-37/ |archive-date=2 August 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


Several TV channels said they had received an e-mail from a terror outfit called [[Indian Mujahideen]] claiming responsibility for the terror attacks;<ref name="itgo">{{cite web| last =| first =| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =16 blasts in Ahmedabad; 49 dead, 145 injured| work =[[India Today Group]]| publisher =[[Living Media]]| date =2008-07-27| url =http://www.itgo.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&issueid=&id=7098&sectionid=9&secid=0&Itemid=1| format =| doi =| accessdate =2008-07-27 }}</ref><ref name=htmuj>{{cite web| last =Das| first =Rathin| authorlink =| coauthors =A. Sharan| title =29 killed as 17 blasts rock Ahmedabad| work =[[Hindustan Times]]| publisher =[[HT Media Ltd]]| date =2008-07-26| url =http://www.hindustantimes.com/storypage/storypage.aspx?sectionName=&id=ea524d97-da77-40aa-870e-09ca9febc619&&Headline=14+killed+as+16+bombs+go+off+in+Ahmedabad&strParent=strParentID| format =| doi =| accessdate =2008-07-26 }}</ref> Islamic militant group [[Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami]], however, has claimed responsibility for the attacks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cnnwire.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/27/india-blasts-toll-up-to-37/|title=India blasts toll up to 37|date=2008-07-27|work=[[CNN]]|publisher=[[Turner Broadcasting System]]|accessdate=2008-07-27}}</ref> The Gujarat police arrested the suspected mastermind, Mufti Abu Bashir, along with nine others, in connection to the bombings.<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Abu_Bashir_behind_Ahmedabad_blasts_Police/articleshow/3370648.cms Abu Bashir behind Ahmedabad blasts: Police]</ref>
Several TV channels had received an e-mail from a terror outfit called [[Indian Mujahideen]] claiming responsibility for the terror attacks;<ref name="itgo">{{cite web| title =16 blasts in Ahmedabad; 49 dead, 145 injured| work =[[India Today Group]]| publisher =[[Living Media]]| date =27 July 2008| url =http://www.itgo.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&issueid=&id=7098&sectionid=9&secid=0&Itemid=1| access-date =27 July 2008 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080803160936/http://www.itgo.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&issueid=&id=7098&sectionid=9&secid=0&Itemid=1| archive-date= 3 August 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref name=htmuj>{{cite web| last =Das| first =Rathin| author2 =A. Sharan| title =29 killed as 17 blasts rock Ahmedabad| work =[[Hindustan Times]]| publisher =[[HT Media Ltd]]| date =26 July 2008| url =http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/India/29-killed-as-17-bomb-blasts-rock-Ahmedabad/Article1-326755.aspx| access-date =26 July 2008| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110605184433/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/india/29-killed-as-17-bomb-blasts-rock-Ahmedabad/Article1-326755.aspx| archive-date =5 June 2011| url-status =dead}}</ref> Islamic militant group [[Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami]], however, has claimed responsibility for the attacks.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://cnnwire.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/27/india-blasts-toll-up-to-37/|title=India blasts toll up to 37|date=27 July 2008|publisher=[[CNN]]|access-date=27 July 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080802233922/http://cnnwire.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/27/india-blasts-toll-up-to-37/ |archive-date = 2 August 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Gujarat police arrested the suspected mastermind, Mufti Abu Bashir, along with nine others, in connection to the bombings.<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com">[https://web.archive.org/web/20121021143608/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-08-17/india/27931930_1_simi-leader-safdar-nagori-ahmedabad-blasts-simi-man Abu Bashir behind Ahmedabad blasts: Police]</ref>


In a verdict given by Ahmedabad special court in February 2022, of the 77 accused, 28 were acquitted for lack of evidence, 11 were sentenced to life imprisonment and 38 were sentenced to death.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Ellis-Petersen |first=Hannah |date=2022-02-18 |title=Indian court sentences 38 people to death over 2008 bombings |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/18/indian-court-sentences-to-death-38-people-over-2008-bombings |access-date=2022-02-27 |website=[[The Guardian]] |language=en}}</ref>
These bombings occurred a day after the Bengaluru blasts and a day before a bomb blast in the Indian state of [[Jharkhand]].<ref name="jharblast">{{cite web| last =| first =| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =Five persons injured in Jharkhand blast| work =| publisher =[[NDTV]]| date =2008-07-27| url =http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080058895| format =| doi =| accessdate =2008-07-27 }}</ref>


==The bombings==
==Bombings==
[[File:The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh visits bomb blast site at Mani Nagar in Ahmadabad on July 28, 2008.jpg|right|thumb|Prime minister [[Manmohan Singh]] visits bomb blast site, with him is Gujarat chief minister [[Narendra Modi]].]]
The bombs were planted in [[Tiffin carriers]] on bicycles, a pattern similar to the [[13 May 2008 Jaipur bombings]].<ref name="Ahme262008blast-NDTV">{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080058856|title=Ahmedabad blasts: Toll rises|date=2008-07-26|publisher=[[NDTV]]|accessdate=2008-07-26}}</ref> Many of the blasts targeted the city bus service, ripping apart portions of the vehicles.<ref>{{cite web| last =| first =| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =Ahmedabad terror toll crosses 45, more bombs found| work =South Asia Monitor| publisher =Contemporary Studies Society| date =2008-07-27| url =http://www.southasiamonitor.org/2008/July/news/28n4.shtml| format =| doi =| accessdate =2008-08-04 }}</ref> Two blasts took place inside the premises of two hospitals, about 40 minutes after the initial series of blasts. One of the blasts in the hospitals occurred when injured victims of the initial series of blasts were being admitted there.<ref name=CNN>{{cite web| last =| first =| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =Indian cities on high alert after blasts| work =[[CNN]]| publisher =[[Turner Broadcasting System]]| date =2008-07-27| url =http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/07/26/india.blasts/index.html| format =| doi =| accessdate =2008-07-27 }}</ref> Another bomb was found and defused on the following day in the Hatkeshwar area. Two live bombs were also retrieved from Maninagar, [[List of Chief Ministers of Gujarat|Gujarat Chief Minister]] [[Narendra Modi|Narendra Modi's]] constituency.<ref name="ndtv16">{{cite web| last =| first =| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =Ahmedabad serial blasts claim 45 lives| work =| publisher =[[NDTV]]| date =2008-07-28| url =http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080058914| format =| doi =| accessdate =2008-07-28 }}</ref>
The bombs were planted in [[Tiffin carriers]] on bicycles, a pattern similar to the [[13 May 2008 Jaipur bombings]].<ref name="Ahme262008blast-NDTV">{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080058856 |title=Ahmedabad blasts: Toll rises |date=26 July 2008 |publisher=[[NDTV]] |access-date=26 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080729021340/http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080058856 |archive-date=29 July 2008 }}</ref> Many of the blasts targeted the city bus service of AMTS ([[Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service]]), ripping apart portions of the vehicles.<ref>{{cite web| title =Ahmedabad terror toll crosses 45, more bombs found| work =South Asia Monitor| publisher =Contemporary Studies Society| date =27 July 2008| url =http://www.southasiamonitor.org/2008/July/news/28n4.shtml| access-date =4 August 2008 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Two blasts took place inside the premises of two hospitals, about 40&nbsp;minutes after the initial series of blasts. One of the blasts in the hospitals occurred when injured victims of the initial series of blasts were being admitted there.<ref name=CNN>{{cite news| title =Indian cities on high alert after blasts| publisher =[[CNN]]| date =27 July 2008| url =http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/07/26/india.blasts/index.html| access-date =27 July 2008 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080729004509/http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/07/26/india.blasts/index.html| archive-date= 29 July 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> Another bomb was found and defused on the following day in the Hatkeshwar area. Two live bombs were also retrieved from [[Maninagar]], [[List of Chief Ministers of Gujarat|Gujarat Chief Minister]] [[Narendra Modi|Narendra Modi's]] constituency.<ref name="ndtv16">{{cite web| title =Ahmedabad serial blasts claim 45 lives| publisher =[[NDTV]]| date =28 July 2008| url =http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080058914| access-date =28 July 2008 }}</ref>


Gujarat police recovered and diffused two more bombs in Surat, another major city in Gujarat, a day after the Ahmedabad blasts. Two cars filled with materials required to make explosives, including detonators, were also found, one of them parked on a roadside near a hospital,<ref>{{cite web| last =| first =| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =Live bombs defused in Ahmedabad, Surat| work =| publisher =Zee News| date =2008-07-27| url =http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=458215&sid=NAT| format =| doi =| accessdate =2008-07-27}}</ref> and the other in the outskirts of Surat.<ref>{{cite web| last =| first =| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =Surat on high alert; 2 cars with explosives found| work =| publisher =[[Rediff.com]]| date =2008-07-27| url =http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/27ahd11.htm| format =| doi =| accessdate =2008-08-04}}</ref>
Gujarat police recovered and defused two more bombs in Surat, another major city in Gujarat, a day after the Ahmedabad blasts. Two cars filled with materials required to make explosives, including detonators, were also found, one of them parked on a roadside near a hospital,<ref>{{cite web| title =Live bombs defused in Ahmedabad, Surat| publisher =Zee News| date =27 July 2008| url =http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=458215&sid=NAT| access-date =27 July 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080727123233/http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=458215&sid=NAT |archive-date = 27 July 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the other in the outskirts of Surat.<ref>{{cite web| title =Surat on high alert; 2 cars with explosives found| work =[[Rediff.com]]| date =27 July 2008| url =http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/27ahd11.htm| access-date =4 August 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080804192557/http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/27ahd11.htm| archive-date= 4 August 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>

===Bombing Locations===
*Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, trauma center
*Khadia
*Raipur
*Sarangpur
*L.G. Hospital, Maninagar
*Maninagar
*Hatkeshwar Circle
*Bapunagar
*Thakkarbapa Nagar
*Jawahar Chowk
*Govindwadi
*Isanpur
*Narol
*Sarkhej


===Warning of attacks through e-mail===
===Warning of attacks through e-mail===


Several news agencies reported receiving a 14-page e-mail five minutes before the explosions with the subject line: "Await 5 minutes for the revenge of Gujarat",<ref>{{cite web| last =Rosenberg| first =Matthew| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =Islamic group claims India blasts that killed 45| work =| publisher =[[Yahoo!]]| date =2008-07-27| url =http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080727/ap_on_re_as/india_explosions| format =| doi =| accessdate =2008-07-27}}</ref> apparently referring to the riots of 2002 which took place in Gujarat after the [[Godhra train burning]] incident. The e-mail was sent by the group known as “Indian Mujahideen” on July 26 at around 6:41pm IST from an email address alarbi_gujarat@yahoo.com.<ref>{{cite web| last =| first =| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =Islamic group claims India blasts that killed 45| work =[[Boston Herald]]| publisher =[[Herald Media]]| date =2008-07-27| url =http://news.bostonherald.com/news/international/asia_pacific/view/2008_07_27_Islamic_group_claims_India_blasts_that_killed_45/srvc=home&position=recent| format =| doi =| accessdate =2008-07-27}}</ref>
Several news agencies reported receiving a 14-page e-mail five minutes before the explosions with the subject line: "Await 5&nbsp;minutes for the revenge of Gujarat",<ref>{{cite web| last =Rosenberg| first =Matthew| title =Islamic group claims India blasts that killed 45| publisher =[[Yahoo!]]| date =27 July 2008| url =https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080727/ap_on_re_as/india_explosions| access-date =27 July 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080803133942/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080727/ap_on_re_as/india_explosions |archive-date = 3 August 2008}}</ref> apparently referring to the [[2002 Gujarat violence]] which took place after the [[Godhra train burning]] incident. The e-mail was sent by the Islamic extremist group known as [[Indian Mujahideen]] on 26 July at around 6:41pm IST.<ref>{{cite web|title=Islamic group claims India blasts that killed 45 |work=[[Boston Herald]] |publisher=[[Herald Media]] |date=27 July 2008 |url=http://news.bostonherald.com/news/international/asia_pacific/view/2008_07_27_Islamic_group_claims_India_blasts_that_killed_45/srvc=home&position=recent |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080805193344/http://news.bostonherald.com/news/international/asia_pacific/view/2008_07_27_Islamic_group_claims_India_blasts_that_killed_45/srvc%3Dhome%26position%3Drecent |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 August 2008 |access-date=27 July 2008 }}</ref>


The contents of the [[e-mail]] warned of attacks in 5 minutes: “In the name of Allah the Indian Mujahideen strike again! Do whatever you can, within 5 minutes from now, feel the terror of Death!<ref name=TOI>{{cite web| last =| first =| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =Mukesh Ambani in Indian Mujahideen's e-mail| work =[[The Times of India]]| publisher =[[The Times Group]]| date =2008-07-27| url =http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mukesh_Ambani_in_Indian_Mujahideens_email/articleshow/3289842.cms| format =| doi =| accessdate =2008-07-27}}</ref>
The contents of the [[e-mail]] warned of attacks in 5 minutes: "In the name of Allah the Indian Mujahideen strike again! Do whatever you can, within 5&nbsp;minutes from now, feel the terror of Death!"<ref name=TOI>{{cite news| title =Mukesh Ambani in Indian Mujahideen's e-mail| work =[[The Times of India]]| date =27 July 2008| url =http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-27/india/27938166_1_politicians-and-business-heads-reliance-industries-limited-head-central-security-list| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20121021103424/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-27/india/27938166_1_politicians-and-business-heads-reliance-industries-limited-head-central-security-list| url-status =dead| archive-date =21 October 2012| access-date =27 July 2008}}</ref>


The e-mail also contained threats against the current [[Chief Minister of Maharashtra]], [[Vilasrao Deshmukh]], and his deputy, [[R.R. Patil]], with the claim, “We wonder at your memory. Have you forgotten the evening of July 11, 2006 so quickly and so easily?<ref name=TOI/>
The e-mail also contained threats against [[Chief Minister of Maharashtra]], [[Vilasrao Deshmukh]], and his deputy, [[R.R. Patil]], with the claim, "We wonder at your memory. Have you forgotten the evening of 11 July 2006 so quickly and so easily?"<ref name=TOI/>


Furthermore, the threats went on to warn Indian businessman [[Mukesh Ambani]] of [[Reliance Industries]] to “think-twice” before “usurping and building a citadel on a land in Mumbai that belongs to the Waqf board...lest it turns into horrifying memories for you which you will never ever forget.<ref name=TOI/>
Furthermore, the threats went on to warn Indian businessman [[Mukesh Ambani]] of [[Reliance Industries]] to "think-twice" before "usurping and building a citadel on a land in Mumbai that belongs to the Waqf board...lest it turns into horrifying memories for you which you will never ever forget".<ref name=TOI/>


The e-mail also reportedly threatened several [[Bollywood]] actors, asking them to stop acting.<ref name=TOI/>
The e-mail also reportedly threatened several [[Bollywood]] actors, asking them to stop acting.<ref name=TOI/>


Police reported that they questioned U.S national [[Ken Haywood]] from whose IP address the threating email was sent. Haywood's residence in the [[Sanpada]] area of [[Navi Mumbai]] was raided by ATS officials on July 27 after the IP address from which a threatening email was sent minutes before the Ahmedabad serial blasts was found to be his.<ref name="Ahmedabad blasts: Lie detector, narco tests on US national Haywood">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Ahmedabad_blasts_Lie_detector_narco_tests_on_US_national_Haywood/rssarticleshow/3361829.cms|title=Ahmedabad blasts: Lie detector, narco tests on US national Haywood|date=13 Aug 2008|publisher=Times of India|accessdate=2008-08-13}}</ref>
Police reported that they questioned U.S. national Ken Haywood from whose IP address the threatening email was sent. Haywood's residence in the [[Sanpada]] area of [[Navi Mumbai]] was raided by ATS officials on 27 July after the IP address from which a threatening email was sent minutes before the Ahmedabad serial blasts was found to be his.<ref name="Ahmedabad blasts: Lie detector, narco tests on US national Haywood">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Ahmedabad_blasts_Lie_detector_narco_tests_on_US_national_Haywood/rssarticleshow/3361829.cms|title=Ahmedabad blasts: Lie detector, narco tests on US national Haywood|date=13 August 2008|work=The Times of India|access-date=13 August 2008}}</ref>


==Casualties==
==Casualties==
[[File:The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh meets bomb blast victims at Civil Hospital in Ahmadabad on July 28, 2008.jpg|thumb|right|Manmohan Singh and Narendra Modi visit injured victims at a hospital in Ahmadabad.]]
56&nbsp;people were killed by the bombing and over 200&nbsp;people were injured.<ref name="Deaths"/><ref name="Injuries"/>


56 people were killed by the bombing and over 200 people were injured.<ref name="Deaths"/><ref name="Injuries"/>
Initially, Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh]] sanctioned an [[ex gratia]] payment of Rs 1 [[lakh]] ([[US$]] 2,300) to the next of kin of the dead. However upon visiting Ahmedabad, he raised the ex gratia figure to Rs 3.5 lakh (US$ 8,050). In addition, he also announced a compensation of Rs 50,000 (US$ 1,200) for those injured in the blasts.<ref>{{cite web| last =| first =| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =Ahmedabad blasts: PM asks people to maintain communal harmony| work =Express India| publisher =The Indian Express Group| date =2008-07-26| url =http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Ahmedabad-blasts--PM-asks-people-to-maintain-communal-harmony/340868/| format =| doi =| accessdate =2008-07-26}}</ref>


Initially, Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh]] sanctioned an [[ex gratia]] payment of ₹ 100,000 (US$2,300) to the next of kin of the dead. However, upon visiting Ahmedabad, he raised the ex gratia figure to ₹ 350,000 (US$8,050). In addition, he also announced a compensation of ₹ 50,000 (US$1,200) for those injured in the blasts.<ref>{{cite web| title =Ahmedabad blasts: PM asks people to maintain communal harmony| work =Express India| publisher =The Indian Express Group| date =26 July 2008| url =http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Ahmedabad-blasts--PM-asks-people-to-maintain-communal-harmony/340868/| access-date =26 July 2008| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20080806214906/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Ahmedabad-blasts--PM-asks-people-to-maintain-communal-harmony/340868/| archive-date =6 August 2008| url-status =dead}}</ref>
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh (US$ 11,500) to each victim of the bomb blasts. <ref>{{cite web| last =| first =| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =It's a war against India: Narendra Modi| work =[[The Times of India]]| publisher =[[The Times Group]]| date =2008-07-27| url =http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/3286188.cms| format =| doi =| accessdate =2008-07-27}}</ref>

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi announced a compensation of Rs 500,000 (US$11,500) to each victim of the bomb blasts.<ref>{{cite news| title =It's a war against India: Narendra Modi| work =[[The Times of India]]| date =27 July 2008| url =http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-27/india/27893699_1_narendra-modi-bomb-blasts-gujarat| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20121021103434/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-27/india/27893699_1_narendra-modi-bomb-blasts-gujarat| url-status =dead| archive-date =21 October 2012| access-date =27 July 2008}}</ref>


==Investigations==
==Investigations==
{{prose|section|date=July 2018}}
{{Seealso|Indian Mujahideen}}
{{See also|Indian Mujahideen}}


Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami has claimed the responsibility of the blasts. The email mentioned that "the innocent Muslims arrested in the (Mumbai) bomb blast case are being tried for years and years."<ref>{{cite web| last =| first =| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =BJP-ruled states incur wrath of terrorists| work =[[The Times of India]]| publisher =[[The Times Group]]| date =2008-07-27| url =http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/BJP-ruled_states_incur_wrath_of_terrorists/articleshow/3286115.cms| format =| doi =| accessdate =2008-07-27}}</ref>
Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami has claimed the responsibility of the blasts. The email mentioned that "the innocent Muslims arrested in the (Mumbai), bomb blast case are being tried for years and years."<ref>{{cite news| title =BJP-ruled states incur wrath of terrorists| work =[[The Times of India]]| date =27 July 2008| url =http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-27/india/27944359_1_bjp-ruled-states-blasts-material-damage| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20121021114952/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-27/india/27944359_1_bjp-ruled-states-blasts-material-damage| url-status =dead| archive-date =21 October 2012| access-date =27 July 2008}}</ref>


Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta said the Centre dispatched one team of bomb experts and decided to convene a meeting of top officials of state governments to discuss the situation arising out of the recent explosions.<ref>{{cite web| last =| first =| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =Centre dispatches bomb experts team to Ahmedabad| work =[[Hindustan Times]]| publisher =[[HT Media Ltd]]| date =2008-07-26| url =http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=&id=3094e670-18c6-40ec-80d1-8b3b5573e887&MatchID1=4728&TeamID1=2&TeamID2=3&MatchType1=1&SeriesID1=1191&PrimaryID=4728&Headline=Centre+dispatches+bomb+experts+team+to+Ahmedabad&strParent=strParentID| format =| doi =| accessdate =2008-08-07}}</ref>
Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta said the Centre dispatched one team of bomb experts and decided to convene a meeting of top officials of state governments to discuss the situation arising out of the recent explosions.<ref>{{cite web| title =Centre dispatches bomb experts team to Ahmedabad| work =[[Hindustan Times]]| publisher =[[HT Media Ltd]]| date =26 July 2008| url =http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Centre-dispatches-bomb-experts-team-to-Ahmedabad/Article1-326807.aspx| access-date =7 August 2008| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20140313025012/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Centre-dispatches-bomb-experts-team-to-Ahmedabad/Article1-326807.aspx| archive-date =13 March 2014| url-status =dead}}</ref>


According to the ''[[Times of India]]'' the intelligence community believes that both blasts of Bangalore and Ahmedabad were executed by a network of [[Wahabi]] fundamentalists masquerading as Indian Mujahideen.<ref>{{cite web| last =| first =| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =Experts see Wahabis in garb of Indian Mujahideen| work =[[The Times of India]]| publisher =[[The Times Group]]| date =2008-07-28| url =http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Experts_see_Wahabis_in_garb_of_Indian_Mujahideen/articleshow/3292655.cms| format =| doi =| accessdate =2008-07-28}}</ref>
According to the ''[[Times of India]]'' the intelligence community believes that both blasts of Bangalore and Ahmedabad were executed by a network of [[Wahabi]] fundamentalists masquerading as Indian Mujahideen.<ref>{{cite news| title =Experts see Wahabis in garb of Indian Mujahideen| work =[[The Times of India]]| date =28 July 2008| url =http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-28/india/27937771_1_serial-blasts-muslim-community-wahabi| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20121021103511/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-28/india/27937771_1_serial-blasts-muslim-community-wahabi| url-status =dead| archive-date =21 October 2012| access-date =28 July 2008}}</ref>


=== Leads in the case ===
===Leads in the case===
* Several TV channels stated that they had received an e-mail from a terror outfit called Indian Mujahideen claiming responsibility for the terror attacks. This e-mail has been traced to a locality in [[Navi Mumbai]].<ref name=htmuj/><ref name="itgo_em">{{cite web| title =E-mail threat: Police raid Navi Mumbai residence| work =[[India Today Group]]| publisher =[[Living Media]]| date =27 July 2008| url =http://www.itgo.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7117&Itemid=1&sectionid=9| access-date =27 July 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080803160905/http://www.itgo.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7117&Itemid=1&sectionid=9| archive-date= 3 August 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> This outfit in the past claimed responsibility for the Jaipur bombings on 13 May 2008.<ref name="guardianmuj">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/may/15/india|title=Indian Mujahideen claims responsibility for Jaipur blasts|last=Ramesh|first=Randeep|date=15 May 2008|work=The Guardian|access-date=26 July 2008|location=London}}</ref>

* The police investigation has centered around the claims made in two phone calls.
* Several TV channels stated that they had received an e-mail from a terror outfit called Indian Mujahideen claiming responsibility for the terror attacks. This e-mail has been traced to a locality in [[Navi Mumbai]] <ref "itgo_em">{{cite web| last =| first =| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =E-mail threat: Police raid Navi Mumbai residence| work =[[India Today Group]]| publisher =[[Living Media]]| date =2008-07-27| url =http://www.itgo.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7117&Itemid=1&sectionid=9| format =| doi =| accessdate =2008-07-27}}</ref><ref name=htmuj/>. This outfit in the past claimed responsibility for the 13 May 2008 Jaipur bombings.<ref name="guardianmuj">{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/may/15/india|title=Indian Mujahideen claims responsibility for Jaipur blasts|last=Ramesh|first=Randeep|date=[[May 15]] 2008|publisher=[[The Guardian]]|accessdate=2008-07-26}}</ref>
[[File:Sketch-280.gif|thumb|Police sketch released to media on 27 July 2008]]

* A doctor who was visiting one of the hospitals where one of the blasts occurred has claimed to have overheard a person talking on his cellphone saying, "Bangalore was a failure, however Ahmedabad will be successful and we will celebrate if God wishes.".<ref name="zee_2">[http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=458298&sid=NAT I heard the culprit speaking on phone, claims witness ] Zee News {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080730044312/http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=458298&sid=NAT |date=30 July 2008 }}</ref> A sketch of this person, shown alongside, was released. The doctor described the suspected culprit as being around "30–34 years old; wearing a pink shirt; clean shaven; and seemingly an educated person."<ref name="zee_2" />
* The police investigation has centered around the claims made in two phone calls.
* A person has claimed to have received two suspicious phone calls at around 8:00pm IST.<ref name="zee_2" /> In one of the phone calls, it is reported that the caller said, "Ejaz, kaam ho gaya hai?", which translates to "Ejaz, has the job been done?"<ref name="zee_2" />

* Two cars, both stolen [[Maruti Suzuki|Maruti]] Wagon R models with vehicle license plates reading "GJ-6-CD 3569" and "GJ-5-CD 2908" were also found in [[Surat]]. One of the cars had four live bombs which were defused. In addition, a wooden box with white powder, wires, a battery and shrapnel was also found near Nupur hospital.<ref name="ndvt">[http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080058986 "Two cars with explosives found in Surat".] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080730033229/http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080058986 |date=30 July 2008 }}. Retrieved 30 July 2008.</ref> The cars used for bombings in Ahmedabad and those that were defused in Surat were eventually traced to Navi Mumbai, from where they had been stolen on 7 and 15 July 2008.<ref>{{cite web| title =Police defuse bombs found in Surat| publisher =[[Yahoo!]]| date =29 July 2008| url =http://in.news.yahoo.com/137/20080729/736/tnl-police-defuse-bombs-found-in-surat.html| access-date =4 August 2008 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Investigations revealed that they were subsequently laden with explosives in [[Vadodara]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Cars_started_from_Mumbai_bombs_loaded_in_Vadodara/rssarticleshow/3299487.cms|title=Cars started from Mumbai, bombs loaded in Vadodara|access-date=28 July 2008 | work=The Times of India|first1=Parth|last1=Shastri|first2=S Ahmed|last2=Ali|date=29 July 2008}}</ref> before being brought to Ahmedabad and Surat.
[[Image:Sketch-280.gif|thumb|Police sketch released to media on July 27,2008]]
* On 30 July 2008, it was reported that the police had found [[CCTV]] footage of the driver of one of the cars used for the bombings. The photo was obtained from a [[Toll house|toll]] booth near [[Pune]]. It had been earlier established that the bombers had stolen the cars from [[Navi Mumbai]] before driving it to [[Gujarat]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Gujarat/Driver-of-one-of-the-terror-cars-on-CCTV/Article1-327783.aspx|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130629105257/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Gujarat/Driver-of-one-of-the-terror-cars-on-CCTV/Article1-327783.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 June 2013|title=Driver of one of the terror cars on CCTV|access-date=30 July 2008}}</ref> The car used in the blast at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital was driven 6 times between Ahmedabad and [[Surat]] between 7 and 24 July.<ref>{{cite news|title=Car used in Ahmedabad Civil Hospital blast moved 6 times between cities|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Car_used_in_Ahmedabad_Civil_Hospital_blast_moved_6_times_between_cities/rssarticleshow/3307998.cms|access-date=31 July 2008 | work=The Times of India|first1=Prashant|last1=Dayal|date=31 July 2008}}</ref>
:* A doctor who was visiting one of the hospitals where one of the blasts occurred has claimed to have overheard a person talking on his cellphone saying, "Bangalore was a failure, however Ahmedabad will be successful and we will celebrate if God wishes." <ref name="zee_2">[http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=458298&sid=NAT I heard the culprit speaking on phone, claims witness ] Zee News</ref>. A sketch of this person, shown alongside, was released. The doctor described the suspected culprit as being around "30-34 years old; wearing a pink shirt; clean shaven; and seemingly an educated person."<ref name="zee_2" />
* On 4 August 2008, the [[Gujarat]] police claimed to have their first breakthrough in the case with the identification of the shop from where the [[Liquefied petroleum gas|LPG]] cylinders used for the blasts were bought. The police also claimed that the crates in which the bombs were planted were made from locally purchased wood.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Ahmedabad/Gujarat-Police-claim-first-breakthrough-in-blasts-case/Article1-328665.aspx|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130705144111/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Ahmedabad/Gujarat-Police-claim-first-breakthrough-in-blasts-case/Article1-328665.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 July 2013|title=Gujarat police claim their first breakthrough in blast case|access-date=4 August 2008}}</ref>

:* A person has claimed to have received two suspicious phone calls at around 8:00pm IST <ref name="zee_2" />. In one of the phone calls, it is reported that the caller said, "Ejaz, kaam ho gaya hai?", which translates to "Ejaz, has the job been done?"<ref name="zee_2" />

* Two cars, both stolen [[Maruti]] Wagon R models with vehicle license plates reading "GJ-6-CD 3569" and "GJ-5-CD 2908" were also found in [[Surat]]. One of the cars had four live bombs which were defused. In addition, a wooden box with white powder, wires, a battery and shrapnel was also found near Nupur hospital <ref name="ndvt">[http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080058986 "Two cars with explosives found in Surat".] Accessed July 30, 2008.</ref>. The cars used for bombings in Ahmedabad and those that were defused in Surat were eventually traced to Navi Mumbai, from where they had been stolen on [[July 7]] and [[July 15]], [[2008]].<ref>{{cite web| last =| first =| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =Police defuse bombs found in Surat| work =| publisher =[[Yahoo!]]| date =2008-07-29| url =http://in.news.yahoo.com/137/20080729/736/tnl-police-defuse-bombs-found-in-surat.html| format =| doi =| accessdate =2008-08-04 }}</ref> Investigations revealed that they were subsequently laden with explosives in [[Vadodara]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Cars_started_from_Mumbai_bombs_loaded_in_Vadodara/rssarticleshow/3299487.cms|title=Cars started from Mumbai, bombs loaded in Vadodara|accessdate=2008-07-28}}</ref>, before being brought to Ahmedabad and Surat.

* On July 30, 2008, it was reported that the police had found [[CCTV]] footage of the driver of one of the cars used for the bombings. The photo was obtained from a [[toll]] booth near [[Pune]]. It had been earlier established that the bombers had stolen the cars from [[Navi Mumbai]] before driving it to [[Gujarat]]<ref>cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=&id=3d52a9a1-d7c3-45ec-9691-bb36ad34f773&MatchID1=4727&TeamID1=2&TeamID2=3&MatchType1=1&SeriesID1=1191&PrimaryID=4727&Headline=Driver+of+one+of+the+terror+cars+on+CCTV&strParent=strParentID\title=Driver of one of the terror cars on CCTV|accessdate=2008-30-07}}</ref>. The car used in the blast at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital was driven 6 times between Ahmedabad and [[Surat]] between July 7 and July 24<ref>{{cite news|title=Car used in Ahmedabad Civil Hospital blast moved 6 times between cities|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Car_used_in_Ahmedabad_Civil_Hospital_blast_moved_6_times_between_cities/rssarticleshow/3307998.cms|accessdate=2008-07-31}}</ref>.

* On August 4, 2008, the [[Gujarat]] police claimed to have their first breakthrough in the case with the identification of the shop from where the [[LPG]] cylinders used for the blasts were bought. The police also claimed that the crates in which the bombs were planted were made from locally purchased wood.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=&id=353815e4-cc37-46dd-96fa-bc6f27cd948f&&Headline=Gujarat+Police+claim+first+breakthrough+in+blasts+case&strParent=strParentID|title=Gujarat police claim their first breakthrough in blast case|accessed=2008-08-04}}</ref>


===Suspects===
===Suspects===
* The [[Hindustan Times]] reported on [[July 28]], 2008 that police and intelligence officials had zeroed in on three masterminds behind the blasts. The suspects, Rasool Khan Yakoob Khan Pathan ''alias'' Rasool ‘Party’, Sohail Khan and Mufti Sufiyan, are suspected to be key operatives of either the [[Lashkar-e-Toiba]] (LeT) or the [[Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami]] (HuJI). They are also believed to have got to [[Pakistan]] after the 2002 Guajrat riots.<ref name=masterminds>{{cite web| last =Desai| first =Stavan| authorlink =| coauthors =A. Sharan| title =Ahmedabad blasts: Three masterminds under scanner| work =[[Hindustan Times]]| publisher =[[HT Media Ltd]]| date =2008-07-28| url =http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=&id=5aefaf8b-ef1a-470e-b538-6520babd72e0&&Headline=Ahmedabad+blasts%3a+Three+masterminds&strParent=strParentID| format =| doi =| accessdate =2008-07-28 }}
* The [[Hindustan Times]] reported on 28 July 2008 that police and intelligence officials had zeroed in on three masterminds behind the blasts. The suspects, Rasool Khan Yakoob Khan Pathan ''alias'' Rasool 'Party', Sohail Khan and Mufti Sufiyan, are suspected to be key operatives of either the [[Lashkar-e-Toiba]] (LeT) or the [[Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami]] (HuJI). They are also believed to have got to Pakistan after the 2002 Gujarat riots.<ref name=masterminds>{{cite web| last =Desai| first =Stavan|author2=A. Sharan| title =Ahmedabad blasts: Three masterminds under scanner| work =[[Hindustan Times]]| publisher =[[HT Media Ltd]]| date =28 July 2008| url =http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=&id=5aefaf8b-ef1a-470e-b538-6520babd72e0&&Headline=Ahmedabad+blasts%3a+Three+masterminds&strParent=strParentID| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20090111140344/http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=&id=5aefaf8b-ef1a-470e-b538-6520babd72e0&&Headline=Ahmedabad+blasts%3A+Three+masterminds&strParent=strParentID| url-status =dead| archive-date =11 January 2009| access-date =28 July 2008 }}
</ref>
</ref>


* On [[July 29]], 2008, the police detained three suspects, Abdul Qadir, Hasil Mohammad and Hussain Ibrahim, near Limbi on Rajkot-Ahmedabad highway in [[Surendranagar district]], while they were leaving Ahmedabad soon after the blasts<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=08b70eed-0cd0-413b-9737-64517d0ab5e3&&Headline=Ahmedabad+police+detain+three+men|title=Serial blasts: Ahmedabad police detains 3 men|accessdate=2008-07-29}}</ref>
* On 29 July 2008, the police detained three suspects, Abdul Qadir, Hasil Mohammad and Hussain Ibrahim, near Limdi on Rajkot-Ahmedabad highway in [[Surendranagar district]], while they were leaving Ahmedabad soon after the blasts<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Ahmedabad/Ahmedabad-police-detain-three-men/Article1-327460.aspx|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130705144119/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Ahmedabad/Ahmedabad-police-detain-three-men/Article1-327460.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 July 2013|title=Serial blasts: Ahmedabad police detains 3 men|access-date=29 July 2008}}</ref>
* On 30 July 2008, it was reported on Rediff that the [[Intelligence Bureau (India)|Intelligence Bureau]] (IB) believed two men, Rasool Khan Parti and Mohammad Sufiya Ahmed Patangiya, who are currently living at Farahan Arcade Gulistan in [[Karachi]] were the masterminds behind both the Ahmedabad and the 2008 Bangalore serial blasts. They were previously residents of [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]] in [[Andhra Pradesh]], and are members of Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami. The Gujarat Police has been looking for them in connection to the murder of former Gujarat state minister [[Haren Pandya]].<ref name="ibmaster">{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/30ahd7.htm|title=IB identifies Pak-based masterminds|access-date=30 July 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080801003003/http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/30ahd7.htm| archive-date= 1 August 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>
* On 16 August 2008, the Gujarat Police announced that they had solved the case,<ref>{{cite news|title=Gujarat cops crack serial blasts case|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/aug/16ahd.htm|access-date=20 August 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080820015657/http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/aug/16ahd.htm| archive-date= 20 August 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> making it the fastest terrorism case to be solved in recent years. According to the Gujarat Director General of Police P.C.Pande, Mufti Abu Bashir was the mastermind behind the blasts, and up to 10 of his accomplices had been arrested.
* On 20 November 2008, the Gujarat Police claimed that Amir Raza Khan, a HuJI operative from [[Kolkatta]] now in Pakistan, was also the mastermind of the blasts. In a [[chargesheet]] filed by the Crime Branch, SIMI members Safdar Nagori, Hafez Hussain, Sibli Abdul Karim, Kamruddin Nagori, Amil Parvez and Mufti Abu Basher planned the attack and asked Abdus Subhan alias Tauqeer and Qayamuddin Kapadia for executing the blasts. [[Students Islamic Movement of India|SIMI]] members organised terror training camps in Waghamon in [[Kerala]] and [[Halol]] near [[Vadodara]]. Qayamuddin and Tauqeer then held a meeting with their local contacts in the city for arrangements of logistics and support to carry out the conspiracy. The local contacts were those who were associated with SIMI before it was banned in 2001 by the Central Government.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ahmedabad blasts carried out on the direction of Pak's Amir Raza Khan|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-11-20/india/27914524_1_mufti-abu-basher-ahmedabad-blasts-simi-members|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022093004/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-11-20/india/27914524_1_mufti-abu-basher-ahmedabad-blasts-simi-members|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 October 2012|access-date=21 November 2008 |work=[[The Times of India]]|date=20 November 2008}}</ref>


===Arrests===
* On [[July 30]], 2008, it was reported on Rediff that the [[Intelligence Bureau]] (IB) believed two men, Rasool Khan Parti and Mohammad Sufiya Ahmed Patangiya, who are currently living at Farahan Arcade Gulistan in [[Karachi]] were the masterminds behind both the Ahmedabad and the 2008 Bangalore serial blasts. They were previously residents of [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]] in [[Andhra Pradesh]], and are members of Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami. The Gujarat Police has been looking for them in connection to the murder of former Gujarat state minister [[Haren Pandya]]<ref name="ibmaster">{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/30ahd7.htm|title=IB identifies Pak-based masterminds|accessdate=2008-07-30}}</ref>.
* Maulana Abdul Halim, a suspected Students Islamic Movement of India activist, was arrested from Dani Limda in the heart of Ahmedabad on 27 July 2008. He was alleged to be involved in instigating the Muslim youth after the 2002 Gujarat violence and sending them to [[Uttar Pradesh]] for terror training.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/27ahd16.htm|title=Ahmedabad blasts: SIMI activist held|access-date=27 July 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080730005334/http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/27ahd16.htm| archive-date= 30 July 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> Charges have also been laid on him for sending 33 youths for terror training to Pakistan in 2003.<ref>[http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=&id=91291980-fee0-49f4-8ccf-9ce4ce4bb04a&&Headline=Serial+blasts%3a+More+bombs%2c+nation+on+alert&strParent=strParentID "More bombs, nation on alert".] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111140352/http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=&id=91291980-fee0-49f4-8ccf-9ce4ce4bb04a&&Headline=Serial%20blasts%3A%20More%20bombs%2C%20nation%20on%20alert&strParent=strParentID |date=11 January 2009 }}</ref> After his arrest, he was remanded to a 14-day police custody by the Metropolitan [[Magistrate]] in Ahmedabad.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Ahmedabad/SIMI-activist-sent-to-14-day-police-custody/Article1-327160.aspx|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130705144042/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Ahmedabad/SIMI-activist-sent-to-14-day-police-custody/Article1-327160.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 July 2013|access-date=28 July 2008|title=SIMI activist sent to 14-day police custody}}</ref>
* On 15 August, the Gujarat police arrested Mufti Abu Bashir, and nine others, in connection to the bombings.<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com"/> Bashir belongs to Binapara village in [[Azamgarh]] district of eastern Uttar Pradesh, and was believed to be a [[Students Islamic Movement of India|SIMI]] activist.
* On 24 October, a SIMI activist, Abdul Razik Mansuri, a resident of Gomtipur area Nagda district, [[Madhya Pradesh]], had been arrested along with Harun Rashid, a Gujrat residence and send to Gujarat for questioning. The Joint [[Commissioner of Police]] for the crime branch, Ashish Bhatia, said: "He was arrested from the Nagda district in Madhya Pradesh by our team. He was there staying with some of his relative. We have brought him to Ahmedabad for interrogation." He added that Mansuri was likely to be produced before a court in [[Ahmedabad]] to be remanded to judicial custody.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/Ahmedabad_blast_SIMI_activist_arrested_from_MP_/articleshow/3637409.cms | work=The Times of India | title=Politics/Nation | date=24 October 2008| access-date= 25 October 2008 }}</ref>
* On 11 November, the Madhya Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) arrested Qayamuddin Kapadia, a top-ranking member of SIMI and a key conspirator and executor of the attack, In [[Ujjain]]. Police claimed that Kapadia admitted his involvement in the Ahmedabad blasts, and that he, along with Abdul Subhan Qureshi ''alias'' Tauqeer of Mumbai and Riaz Bhatkal of Karnataka, collaborated with the [[Students Islamic Movement of India|SIMI]] cell led by Atif to carry out the Delhi blasts. Atif was later killed in an encounter with [[special cell]] of [[Delhi Police]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-11-11/india/27945936_1_ahmedabad-blasts-qayamuddin-kapadia-serial-blasts | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022074558/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-11-11/india/27945936_1_ahmedabad-blasts-qayamuddin-kapadia-serial-blasts | url-status=dead | archive-date=22 October 2012 | title=Ahmedabad blasts plotter held in MP | date=11 November 2008| work=[[The Times of India]] | access-date= 13 November 2008 }}</ref>
* On 13 November, Rafiuddin Kapadia, the brother of the key accused, Qayamuddin Kapadia, was arrested by the city police of Ahmedabad. His arrest took the toll of the total held by the police to 43. The Joint Commissioner of Police, Ashish Bhatia, who is heading the probe in the serial blasts case, said: "We have arrested Rafiuddin Kapadia, brother of Qayamuddin. He was present at the SIMI training camp in Halol near Vadodara. He originally hails from Vadodara and was arrested today from Ahmedabad by the crime branch officials."<ref>http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/0/45C2E98CDE8EEB9F6525750000563334?OpenDocument {{dead link|date=September 2011}}</ref>
* On 26 March 2012, Maharashtra [[Anti Terrorist Squad (India)|ATS]] arrested one blast suspect Mohammed Abrar Babu Khan alias Abrar Shaikh in an [[Encounter killing|encounter]] in [[Sambhajinagar]]. Khaleel Qureshi was killed and Mohammed Shakeer was wounded in the [[Encounter killing|encounter]]. All are alleged to be members of terrorist group [[Indian Mujahideen]]. A police constable was also injured during the firing.<ref name="ATS Guns Down Ahmedabad Terror Suspect, Arrests 1">{{cite web | url=http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=757295 | title=ATS Guns Down Ahmedabad Terror Suspect, Arrests 1 | publisher=outlook india | date=26 March 2012 | access-date=26 March 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327004338/http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=757295 | archive-date=27 March 2012 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
* On 19 June 2016, Gujarat [[Anti-Terrorism Squad (India)|Anti-Terrorism Squad]], arrested Nasir Rangrez from [[Belgaum]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/2008-ahmedabad-blasts-accused-nabbed-from-karnataka-2864613/|title=2008 Ahmedabad blasts: Accused nabbed from Karnataka|date=20 June 2016|work=The Indian Express|access-date=5 June 2017|language=en-US}}</ref>


===Legal case===
An excerpt from the [[Rediff]] article is provided below:
Controversy arose in the court case of the 26 accused as the state was alleged to have suppressed the legal rights of the accused. On 23 October lawyers of the accused walked out in protest against the stand taken by the Metropolitan Magistrate. The lawyers wanted to meet the accused alone, however, they had moved an application stating that police did not allow them to meet their clients alone and that the Court should direct the police not to remain present while they were talking to the accused. The Metropolitan Magistrate countered that it was not possible as police had to be with the accused. He is said to have hinted at collusion between the lawyers and the accused, causing a walk out by the accused's lawyers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gujaratglobal.com/nextSub.php?id=4416&catype=NEWS |title= Lawyers of Ahmedabad bomb blast accused walk out from Court|website=gujaratglobal.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111150736/http://www.gujaratglobal.com/nextSub.php?id=4416&catype=NEWS |archive-date=11 January 2009}}</ref> The next day, in two different cases, the designated Metropolitan Court remanded all the 26 accused to police custody until 31 October.<ref>[http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Court-extends-custody-of-26-blast-accused-till-Oct-31/377886 Court extends custody of 26 blast accused till Oct 31 – Indian Express]</ref>
{{cquote|
''According to the IB, the entire operation was carried out by Indians, unlike in past instances where Pakistanis or Bangladeshis were used.''


As per the legal rules police have to file a chargesheet in any case before 90 days of the first arrest of the case. However, on 11 November, about three and half months after blasts and the late July arrest, the Gujarat police filed a chargesheet, pertaining to the city civil hospital blast and L G hospital blast case, in a court naming 26 people, all with alleged linked to SIMI, as accuseds in the case. A 2,000-page chargesheet was filed in the court of the Metropolitan Magistrate, G M Patel. The accused included SIMI activists Mufti Abu Basher, Safdar Nagori and Sajid Mansuri. The chargesheet also listed the names of 50 absconders, and that police had so far examined 511 potential witnesses.<ref>http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/0/542B4259CEC82590652574FF0048AB04?OpenDocument {{dead link|date=September 2011}}</ref>
''Both Parti and Patangiya handpicked Indian youth working in the [[United Arab Emirates]] for the operation. This indicates that the youth had been picked well in advance and sent off to the UAE on the pretext of jobs there. This could have been done to avoid coming under the scanner of the Indian police, the officials say. From the UAE they were flown into Dubai from where they were taken to [[Muzaffarabad]] in [[Pakistan occupied Kashmir]].''


===Similarities===
''The youth were divided in two groups and then trained personally by Patri and Patangiya. They were taught how to prepare bombs and execute the attacks. They called it training in alternate explosions. They were specifically taught how to make bombs using [[ammonium nitrate]] and directed to pick up the material locally. The use of [[RDX]] was ruled out since it was a problem to smuggle it across the border.''
Similarities between the Bangalore and Ahmedabad bombings were investigated, where the former suffered from eight blasts and the latter&nbsp;21. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Prakash Jaiswal told reporters in [[Kanpur]] that the similarities between this and the Bangalore blasts was that both "blasts were of low intensity" and were planted in crowded areas.<ref name=ndtvsim>{{cite web| title =Ahmedabad, Bangalore blasts share similarities| publisher =[[NDTV]]| date =26 July 2008| url =http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080058893&ch=7/27/2008%207:39:00%20AM| access-date =26 July 2008| archive-date =30 July 2008| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20080730042820/http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080058893&ch=7%2F27%2F2008%207%3A39%3A00%20AM| url-status =dead}}</ref><ref name=ibn/> Furthermore, both states – Karnataka and Gujarat – have BJP led governments.<ref name=ibn>{{cite web| title =Bangalore, Ahmedabad blasts uncannily similar| work =[[CNN-IBN]]| publisher =[[Global Broadcast News]] and [[Turner International]]| date =27 July 2008| url =http://www.ibnlive.com/news/bangalore-ahmedabad-blasts-uncannily-similar/69675-3.html| access-date =27 July 2008 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080727172732/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/bangalore-ahmedabad-blasts-uncannily-similar/69675-3.html| archive-date= 27 July 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>


==Further threats==
''After undergoing training for a month, the youth were flown back to [[Dubai]] and then taken to Bangladesh. They were directed to cross over into India through the porous border. Investigating agencies say they took this trouble to avoid the police and security agencies.''
The threat of terror continued even after [[Ahmedabad]] blasts. The [[Gujarat]] police discovered an active bomb which was set to detonate at 12:00am IST in Hatkeshwar, [[Maninagar]].<ref name="ndvt" /> A bomb squad was quick to respond and successfully managed to defuse the bomb in front of a large crowd, which rose to jubilation and applause upon bomb's defusion.<ref name="ndvt" />


===Kerala===
''Once in India, the two groups split up and undertook the operations in [[Bengaluru]] and Ahmedabad separately, although they kept in regular touch. The date and time of the attacks was fixed by Parti.''
A phone call from Pakistan to a [[Karnataka]] journalist claimed there would be more blasts in Kerala on Sunday. Kerala police chief Raman Srivastava said: "I have been informed by the [[Director General of Police|DGP]] of Karnataka about the terror threat to Kerala. We spoke to the journalist concerned, who said he had received two calls today – one at 1&nbsp;pm and another at 3:30&nbsp;pm."<ref>{{cite web|title=Terror call claims Kerala next on target|url=http://newsx.com/story/20537 |access-date=28 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080804075247/http://newsx.com/story/20537 |archive-date=4 August 2008 }}</ref>


===Surat===
''The police are now trying to ascertain how many members were in each team and also from where they picked up the ammonium nitrate and other material required to make the bombs. The police suspect that the two teams assembled the bombs separately in the cities they attacked.''
On the following Monday, just days after the [[Ahmedabad]] blasts, another bomb was found in Varachha area of Surat.<ref name="toi_2">[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Another_live_bomb_defused_in_Surat/articleshow/3299030.cms Another live bomb defused in Surat] Times of India {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080803011133/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Another_live_bomb_defused_in_Surat/articleshow/3299030.cms |date=3 August 2008 }}</ref> The bomb was placed near an electricity transmitter and contained a packet 700–800&nbsp;grams of ammonium nitrate, a packet of shrapnel, two detonators, one battery, and a circuit.<ref name="toi_2" /> This was found after the two car bombs that were discovered immediately after Ahmedabad attacks.<ref name="toi_2" />


On Tuesday, 29 July, eighteen bombs were found in [[Surat]], and were subsequently defused. They were found mainly in the [[diamond]]-processing and residential areas of Surat, within a span of just four hours.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/storypage/storypage.aspx?sectionName=&id=cf744f75-8c60-4a91-a5a4-9077659d2380&&Headline=Ten+live+bombs+found%2c+panic+grips+Surat+city&strParent=strParentID|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111140400/http://www.hindustantimes.com/storypage/storypage.aspx?sectionName=&id=cf744f75-8c60-4a91-a5a4-9077659d2380&&Headline=Ten+live+bombs+found%2C+panic+grips+Surat+city&strParent=strParentID|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 January 2009|title=Ten live bombs found, panic grips Surat city|access-date=29 July 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/29ahd.htm|title=9 bombs defused in Surat|access-date=29 July 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080731114346/http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/29ahd.htm| archive-date= 31 July 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>[http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080059211&ch=633529580608247500 NDTV.com: Surat: 18 bombs found, defused; 3 detained] {{dead link|date=December 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> According to the [[Times of India]], a top government official believed that the planting of so many "unexploded" bombs was probably a means to divert attention of the police from the ongoing blast probe.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Live_bombs_an_attempt_to_distract_attention_from_probe/rssarticleshow/3302871.cms|title=Live bombs an attempt to distract attention from probe|access-date=28 July 2008 | work=The Times of India|date=29 July 2008}}</ref> After Gujarat Chief Minister [[Narendra Modi]] visited the city another bomb was found and defused by a bomb disposal squad. All in all, 23 bombs were found in three days in [[Surat]].<ref>[http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEH20080729033307&Page=H&Title=Top+Stories&Topic=0 23 bombs defused in Surat, India remains on edge – Newindpress.com]{{dead link|date=September 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
''The Bengaluru police believe that the ammonium nitrate must have been brought into [[Karnataka]] from [[Kerala]] via [[Mysore]]. However, police says the terrorists dumped a part of the consignment about 50 kilometres from Bengaluru as they feared detection. However, they managed to smuggle in enough material to carry out the blasts.''


[[Forensic]] investigations revealed that the bombs had not exploded because the circuits had been wrongly assembled. The police were not sure whether that was on purpose or a way to estimate the reaction time of the [[bomb squad]], for planning future attacks.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=&id=c4f44e56-9b49-4269-ac5d-21f2a652f374&MatchID1=4727&TeamID1=2&TeamID2=3&MatchType1=1&SeriesID1=1191&PrimaryID=4727&Headline=Terror+trail%3a+Faulty+chips+saved+Surat&strParent=strParentID|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111141348/http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=&id=c4f44e56-9b49-4269-ac5d-21f2a652f374&MatchID1=4727&TeamID1=2&TeamID2=3&MatchType1=1&SeriesID1=1191&PrimaryID=4727&Headline=Terror+trail%3A+Faulty+chips+saved+Surat&strParent=strParentID|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 January 2009|title=Faulty chips saved Surat|access-date=30 July 2008}}</ref>
''[[IB]] sources say they are concerned by the growing number of Indian youth being lured into terror outfits. They say that intercepts from Pakistan indicate that there are many Indian youth outside Parti's home in Karachi daily.''


===Rajasthan===
''Investigating agencies are also looking into the statements made by [[SIMI]] activist Riazuddin Nasir aka Mohammad Ghouse. After his arrest in Karnataka earlier this year had told the police that he had met Parti in Karachi.''
Three bombs were detected on the road in [[Pali, Rajasthan|Pali]] district, near [[Marwar Junction]] in [[Rajasthan]]. The bombs, put in half-litre oil containers, were planted on the Marwar-Ranawas Road at gap of one km and were spotted by onlookers. The box carried a bundle of fuse wire, 30–40 marbles, 8 iron plates, and detonator. There was no timer nor any electronic device attached to the explosives. The bombs were defused by the bomb squad.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/29jai.htm|title=Three bombs defused in Rajasthan|access-date=29 July 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080804231817/http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/29jai.htm| archive-date= 4 August 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>
}}<ref name=ibmaster/>


===Tamil Nadu===
* On [[August 16]], 2008, the Gujarat Police announced that they had solved the case<ref>{{cite news|title=Gujarat cops crack serial blasts case|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/aug/16ahd.htm|accessed=2008-08-20}}</ref>, making it the fastest terrorism case to be solved in recent years. According to the Gujarat Director General of Police P.C.Pande, Mufti Abu Bashir was the mastermind behind the blasts, and upto 10 of his accomplices had been arrested.
In Tamil Nadu, Sheikh Abdul Ghaffoor, 39, was arrested with an alleged plan of carrying out bombings on Independence Day, 15 August 2008.<ref name="ndtvTN">[http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080059005 "Terror module busted in Tamil Nadu, 1 held".] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080728101544/http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080059005 |date=28 July 2008 }}. Retrieved 30 July 2008.</ref> The plot included bombing the state capital [[Chennai]] along with three other cities in Tamil Nadu and at least six trains.<ref name=ndtvTN/> [[Meenakshi Amman Temple]] in [[Madurai]] is believed to be on top of the list for such terror attack.<ref>[http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE920080727230310&Page=9&Title=Chennai&Topic=0 Chennai next terror target? Bomb-maker held in Nellai] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080731071256/http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE920080727230310&Page=9&Title=Chennai&Topic=0 |date=31 July 2008 }}</ref> The man was detained with a large cache of explosives and two timer devices. Apparently, it is believed that the plot was revealed by an arrested leader, P Ali Abdullah, of a banned organisation, who has been serving sentences in an Indian jail since 2003.<ref name="ndtvTN" /> [[Chennai city police]] later on 1 August 2008 announced that the arrests were not linked with either the Ahmedabad or Bangalore blasts.<ref>[Chennai arrests have no links with Ahmedabad, Bangalore blasts: police – Indian Express]</ref>


===Arrests===
===Kolkata===
An E-Mail was sent to [[Kolkata]] on 29 July 2008 to bomb 8 different locations in Kolkata. Subsequently, high alert was placed in Kolkata but the E-mail turned out to be a hoax.
* Maulana Abdul Halim, a suspected Students Islamic Movement of India activist, was arrested from Dani Limda in the heart of Ahmedabad on July 27, 2008. He was alleged to be involved in instigating the Muslim youth after the 2002 Gujarat violence and sending them to [[Uttar Pradesh]] for terror training.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/27ahd16.htm|title=Ahmedabad blasts: SIMI activist held|accessdate=2008-07-27}}</ref> Charges have also been laid on him for sending 33 youths for terror training to Pakistan in 2003. <ref>[http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=&id=91291980-fee0-49f4-8ccf-9ce4ce4bb04a&&Headline=Serial+blasts%3a+More+bombs%2c+nation+on+alert&strParent=strParentID "More bombs, nation on alert".]</ref>. After his arrest, he was remanded to a 14-day police custody by the Metropolitan [[Magistrate]] in Ahmedabad<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=&id=9c841cab-dd55-4150-bb89-481ea0f99eab&&Headline=SIMI+activist+sent+to+14-day+police+custody&strParent=strParentID|title=SIMI activist sent to 14-day police custody|accessed=2008-07-28|title=SIMI activist sent to 14-day police custody}}</ref>.


===New Delhi===
* On August 15, the Gujarat police arrested Mufti Abu Bashir, and nine others, in connection to the bombings.<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Abu_Bashir_behind_Ahmedabad_blasts_Police/articleshow/3370648.cms Abu Bashir behind Ahmedabad blasts: Police]</ref>. Bashir belongs to Binapara village in Azamgarh district of eastern Uttar Pradesh, and was believed to be a [[SIMI]] activist.
Another E-mail was sent to the Japanese Embassy in [[New Delhi]] on 30 July 2008 to bomb several locations in Delhi. The mail was soon forwarded to the Delhi Police from the Japanese Embassy and the city was placed under a Red Alert. The E-Mail threatened to bomb [[Sarojini Nagar]] which was a target in the October 2005 bombings. Further to these threats Japan closed its embassy in New Delhi on 31 July 2008 and also issue warning to its citizens living in India to avoid crowded places like markets and train stations.<ref>[http://in.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idINBOM5747520080731 UPDATE 1-Japan closes India visa office, warns over bombings- Reuters]</ref> Nevertheless, the initial examination of a youth arrested for sending emails to the Japanese embassy indicated that he might suffer from some mental problems.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121021115027/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-31/india/27928260_1_email-threat-bomb-blasts-sarojini-nagar Youth held for sending email threat to Japanese Embassy – Times of India]</ref> Delhi police revealed that the youth who sent the email was frustrated of a failed visa application to the embassy and the email threat was a hoax.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120713163327/http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14727552 Terror email to Japanese Embassy a hoax: Police – Sify News]</ref>


==Criticism==
=== Similarities ===
In criticizing the central government Ajai Sahni, [[executive director]] of the Institute for Conflict Management said "India's police to population ratio is one of the lowest in the world, barring the poorer African countries. There is a high deficit of personnel in intelligence gathering. The IB has barely 3,500 field officers. We need to address these shortcomings."
Similarities between the Bengaluru and Ahmedabad bombings were investigated, where the former suffered from eight blasts and the latter&nbsp;21. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Prakash Jaiswal told reporters in [[Kanpur]] that the similarities between this and the Bengaluru blasts was that both "blasts were of low intensity" and were planted in crowded areas.<ref name=ibn/><ref name=ndtvsim>{{cite web| last =| first =| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =Ahmedabad, Bangalore blasts share similarities| work =| publisher =[[NDTV]]| date =2008-07-26| url =http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080058893&ch=7/27/2008%207:39:00%20AM| format =| doi =| accessdate =2008-07-26 }}
</ref> Furthermore, both states - Karnataka and Gujarat - have BJP led governments.<ref name=ibn>{{cite web| last =| first =| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =Bangalore, Ahmedabad blasts uncannily similar| work =[[CNN-IBN]]| publisher =[[Global Broadcast News]] and [[Turner International]]| date =2008-07-27| url =http://www.ibnlive.com/news/bangalore-ahmedabad-blasts-uncannily-similar/69675-3.html| format =| doi =| accessdate =2008-07-27 }}</ref>


Security expert Prakash Singh added "they (terrorists) have no fear of being detected, arrested or prosecuted."
==Further threats==
The threat of terror continued even after Ahmedabad blasts. The Gujarat police discovered an active bomb which was set to detonate at 12:00am IST in [[Hatkeshwar]], Maninagar.<ref name="ndvt" /> A bomb squad was quick to respond and successfully managed to defuse the bomb in front of a large crowd, which rose to jubilation and applause upon bomb's defusion.<ref name="ndvt" />


PR Chari, a research professor at the Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies, said "the blasts were a demonstration of their (terrorists) capabilities and a terse reminder of the state's helplessness."<ref>{{cite news| url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/BJP-ruled_states_incur_wrath_of_terrorists/articleshow/3286115.cms | work=The Times of India | title=BJP-ruled states incur wrath of terrorists | date=27 July 2008| access-date= 27 July 2008 }}</ref>
===Kerala===
A phone call from Pakistan to a Karnataka journalist claimed there would be more blasts in Kerala on Sunday. Kerala Police chief Raman Srivastava said: "I have been informed by the DGP of Karnataka about the terror threat to Kerala. We spoke to the journalist concerned, who said he had received two calls today - one at 1 pm and another at 3:30 pm."<ref>http://newsx.com/story/20537</ref>


BJP president [[Rajnath Singh]] also blamed the [[United Progressive Alliance|UPA]] government for its "soft approach" to terrorism that has allowed terrorists to grow bolder. He also took the government to task for repealing POTA and for "sleeping over the anti-terror laws like [[Gujarat Control of Organised Crime Act|GUJCOCA]] (an anti-terror law adopted by the Gujarat Assembly)".<ref>[http://www.ibnlive.com/news/bangalore-ahmedabad-blasts-uncannily-similar/69675-3.html Bangalore, Ahmedabad blasts uncannily similar]</ref> Gujarat [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] chief Siddharth Patel said: "'The Gujarat government has failed miserably on the law and order front." Adding that the terror attack pointed to the "total failure' of the state's intelligence machinery."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080801013530/http://www.indiaenews.com/politics/20080726/134686.htm "Gujarat Congress blames Modi government for blasts".] ''India eNews''. Retrieved 30 July 2008.</ref>
===Surat===
On the following Monday, just days after the Ahmedabad blasts, another bomb was found in Varacha area of Surat <ref name="toi_2">[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Another_live_bomb_defused_in_Surat/articleshow/3299030.cms Another live bomb defused in Surat] Times of India</ref>. The bomb was placed near an electricity transmitter and contained a packet 700-800 grams of ammonium nitrate, a packet of shrapnel, two detonators, one battery, and a circuit <ref name="toi_2" />. This was found after the two car bombs that were discovered immediately after Ahmedabad attacks. <ref name="toi_2" />


[[Sushma Swaraj]], a senior leader of the BJP, at a press conference in Delhi, claimed the ruling UPA government had a conspiratorial hand in the blasts to divert attention from the [[United Progressive Alliance#Allegations of bribery|allegations of bribery]] as well as to gain [[Muslim]] votes.<ref>[http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=&id=cc5386c6-fb16-46c8-aeba-c12f5e8cf68d&&Headline=Blasts+in+B'lore%2c+Ahmedabad+a+conspiracy%3a+BJP&strParent=strParentID Blasts in B'lore, Ahmedabad a conspiracy: BJP]{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> [[Times of India]] called her comments as "scandalous" and "outrageous remarks".<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121021115130/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-30/edit-page/27894272_1_bjp-leader-sushma-swaraj-bjp-mps-trust-vote Below the Belt – Times of India]</ref> The Congress party's spokesman, Shakeel Ahmed said that Sushma Swaraj should be "tried for treason" and her comments have "given a clean chit to terrorists and anti-national, disruptive forces both within and outside India".<ref>[http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=2&theme=&usrsess=1&id=216286 BJP distances itself from Sushma remarks, Cong screams ‘treason!’ – The Statesman] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114111204/http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=2&theme=&usrsess=1&id=216286 |date=14 January 2009 }}</ref> Later on 31 July 2008, BJP's spokesperson, Prakash Javdekar, clarified that the allegation of conspiracy made by Sushma Swaraj was her personal view and to the contrary the party viewed the attacks not as a conspiracy of the Congress party but as "an attack on the nation".<ref>[http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Red-faced-BJP-clears-the-air--says-blasts-no-conspiracy/342864/ Red-faced BJP clears the air, says blasts no conspiracy – Indian Express] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114034919/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Red-faced-BJP-clears-the-air--says-blasts-no-conspiracy/342864/ |date=14 January 2009 }}</ref> Although Sushma Swaraj's comments were critically commented by some media and her own party, T. K. Arun, a columnist of [[The Economic Times]] suggested that investigations should also look into her point that some of the blasts occurred in Muslim locals of Ahmedabad and "''that a large share of those getting slaughtered by the terrorists are Muslims''".<ref>[http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Columnists/T_K_Arun_Sushma_makes_a_point/articleshow/3307960.cms Sushma Swaraj makes a point – The Economic Times]</ref>
On Tuesday, July 29, eighteen bombs were found in Surat, and were subsequently defused. They were found mainly in the [[diamond]]-processing and residential areas of Surat, within a span of just four hours.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/storypage/storypage.aspx?sectionName=&id=cf744f75-8c60-4a91-a5a4-9077659d2380&&Headline=Ten+live+bombs+found%2c+panic+grips+Surat+city&strParent=strParentID|title=Ten live bombs found, panic grips Surat city|accessed=2008-07-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/29ahd.htm|title=9 bombs defused in Surat|accessed=2008-07-29}}</ref><ref>[http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080059211&ch=633529580608247500 NDTV.com: Surat: 18 bombs found, defused; 3 detained]</ref> According to the Times of India, a top government official believed that the planting of so many "unexploded" bombs was probably a means to divert attention of the police from the ongoing blast probe.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Live_bombs_an_attempt_to_distract_attention_from_probe/rssarticleshow/3302871.cms|title='Live bombs an attempt to distract attention from probe'|accessdate=2008-07-28}}</ref> After Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi visited the city another bomb was found and diffused by a bomb disposal squad. All in all, 23 bombs were found in three days in Surat.<ref>[http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEH20080729033307&Page=H&Title=Top+Stories&Topic=0 23 bombs defused in Surat, India remains on edge - Newindpress.com]</ref>
The US national to whom the suspicious e-mail was traced escaped from India even after a lookout notice was issued.<ref>http://www.timesnow.tv/Newsdtls.aspx?NewsID=13921 {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>


==Reaction==
[[Forensic]] investigations revealed that the bombs had not exploded because the circuits had been wrongly assembled. The police were not sure whether that was on purpose or a way to estimate the reaction time of the [[bomb squad]], for planning future attacks<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=&id=c4f44e56-9b49-4269-ac5d-21f2a652f374&MatchID1=4727&TeamID1=2&TeamID2=3&MatchType1=1&SeriesID1=1191&PrimaryID=4727&Headline=Terror+trail%3a+Faulty+chips+saved+Surat&strParent=strParentID|title=Faulty chips saved Surat|accessdate=2008-07-30}}</ref>.


===Rajasthan===
===Hindu–Muslim Unity===
Three bombs were detected on the road in Pali district, near Marwar in [[Rajasthan]]. The bombs, put in half-litre oil containers, were planted on the Marwar-Ranawas Road at gap of one km and were spotted by onlookers. The box carried a bundle of fuse wire, 30-40 marbles, 8 iron plates, and detonator. There was no timer nor any electronic devise attached to the explosives. The bombs were defused by the bomb squad.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/29jai.htm|title=Three bombs defused in Rajasthan|accessdate=2008-29-07</ref>.


It is widely believed that the attacks were carried out to bring about the levels of unrest Gujarat had seen after the Godhra train burning.<ref name="toi">[https://web.archive.org/web/20121021115004/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-28/india/27920203_1_serial-blasts-terror-attacks-communal-harmony "Blasts aimed at destroying social fabric: PM".] ''[[The Times of India]]''. Retrieved 30 July 2008.</ref> It is believed that by targeting communally sensitive<ref>[http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200807271654.htm "Toll rises to 45, army conducts flag marches in Ahmedabad".] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080731121514/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200807271654.htm |date=31 July 2008 }}. Retrieved 30 July 2008.</ref> areas such as Sarkhej, Muslims attackers wanted to provoke and re-ignite communal disharmony and riots.<ref name="toi" /> However, the people of Gujarat stood tall in unity against such violence. Peaceful demonstrations held across Gujarat by both Hindus and Muslims called attacks an act of cowardice.<ref>[http://www.hindustantimes.com/photos-news/photo-story-news/SerialblastsrockAhmedabad/Article4.aspx Hindustantimes.com : Photos > Pictures, Wallpapers and Calendars from India’s leading portal] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012082316/http://www.hindustantimes.com/photos-news/photo-story-news/SerialblastsrockAhmedabad/Article4.aspx |date=12 October 2012 }}</ref> Such demonstrations of unity were also held in Delhi and Bhopal where Hindus and Muslims held candlelight [[vigil]]s.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshowpics/3292325.cms | work=The Times of India | title=Day in Pics | date=28 July 2008| access-date= 28 July 2008 }}</ref>
===Tamil Nadu===
In Tamil Nadu, Sheikh Abdul Ghaffoor, 39, was arrested with an alleged plan of carrying out bombings on Independence Day, August 15, 2008. <ref name="ndtvTN">[http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080059005 "Terror module busted in Tamil Nadu, 1 held".] Accessd July 30, 2008.</ref> The plot included bombing the state capital [[Chennai]] along with three other cities in Tamil Nadu and at least six trains.<ref name=ndtvTN/> [[Meenakshi Amman Temple]] in [[Madurai]] is believed to be on top of the list for such terror attack.<ref>[http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE920080727230310&Page=9&Title=Chennai&Topic=0 Chennai next terror target? Bomb-maker held in Nellai]</ref> The man was detained with a large cache of explosives and two timer devices. Apparently, it is believed that the plot was revealed by an arrested leader, P Ali Abdullah, of a banned organisation, who has been serving sentences in an Indian jail since 2003.<ref name="ndtvTN" /> [[Chennai city police]] later on 1 August 2008 announced that the arrests were not linked with either the Ahmedabad or Bangalore blasts.<ref>[Chennai arrests have no links with Ahmedabad, Bangalore blasts: police - Indian Express]</ref>


Upon his visit to the region, PM Singh praised Gujarat's unity saying "I commend the people of Gujarat for the resilience they have shown. These terrorist acts are aimed at destroying our social fabric, undermining communal harmony and demoralising our people".<ref>[http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080059138 NDTV.com: PM praises people of Gujarat for their resilience] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080802211239/http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080059138 |date=2 August 2008 }}</ref>
===Kolkata===
An E-Mail was sent to Kolkata on 29 July, 2008 to bomb 8 different locations in Kolkata. Subsequently, High Alert was placed in Kolkata but the E-mail turned out to be a hoax. High Alert is still placed in the region as every major checkpoint is monitored by the police.


President [[Pratibha Patil]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200807261965.htm|title=President deplores blasts, asks people to maintain peace|date=26 July 2008|work=The Hindu|page=1|access-date=26 July 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080729050715/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200807261965.htm| archive-date= 29 July 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/26ahd2.htm|title=President, PM condemn blasts|date=26 July 2008|publisher=Rediff|access-date=26 July 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080729012401/http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/26ahd2.htm| archive-date= 29 July 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> Vice-president [[Hamid Ansari]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=592593|title=Vice President condemns serial blasts in Ahmedabad|date=26 July 2008|publisher=Outlook India|page=1|access-date=26 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080801113903/http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=592593|archive-date=1 August 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> Chief Minister [[Narendra Modi]],<ref name="howrah" />{{Dead link|date=March 2014}}{{Failed verification|date=March 2014}} all condemned the blasts and appealed for calm. Minister of State for Home Affairs [[Shakeel Ahmed (politician)|Shakeel Ahmed]] expressed surprise and shock at the successive attacks.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080728232324/http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14724645 Centre 'surprised' over Ahmedabad blasts – Sify.com]</ref> Home Minister [[Shivraj Patil]] said: "we should assess the situation correctly and try to help the people, who have suffered and plan to see that these things do not happen afterwards."<ref name="howrah">[http://howrah.org/india_news/20061.html "Political reactions to Ahmedabad blasts".] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007091459/http://howrah.org/india_news/20061.html |date=7 October 2008 }} Accessed 30 July 2008.</ref>
===New Delhi===
Another E-mail was sent to the Japanese Embassy in New Delhi on 30 July, 2008 to bomb several locations in Delhi. The mail was soon forwarded to the Delhi Police from the Japanese Embassy and the city was placed under a Red Alert. The E-Mail threatened to bomb Sarojini Nagar which was a target in the October 2005 bombings. Further to these threats Japan closed its embassy in New Delhi on 31 July 2008 and also issue warning to its citizens living in India to avoid crowded places like markets and train stations.<ref>[http://in.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idINBOM5747520080731 UPDATE 1-Japan closes India visa office, warns over bombings- Reuters]</ref> Nevertheless the initial examination of a youth arrested for sending emails to the Japanese embassy indicated that he might suffer from some mental problems.<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Youth_held_for_sending_email_threat_to_Japanese_Embassy/articleshow/3311417.cms Youth held for sending email threat to Japanese Embassy - Times of India]</ref> Delhi police revealed that the youth who sent the email was frustrated of a failed visa application to the embassy and the email threat was an hoax.<ref>[http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14727552 Terror email to Japanese Embassy a hoax: Police - Sify News]</ref>
Opposition [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] leader [[L. K. Advani]] condemned the blasts,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=458166&sid=NAT|title=Govt, BJP condemn Ahmedabad blasts|date=26 July 2008|publisher=Zee News |page=1|access-date=26 July 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080730054233/http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=458166&sid=NAT |archive-date = 30 July 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> and demanded that both Gujarat and Rajasthan should be allowed to go for their own anti-terror legislation.<ref>[https://newsfrontbangla.com/this-is-the-first-time-in-the-country-the-court-sentenced-38-people-to-death-together/'Lack+of+tough+anti-terror+law%2c+weak+intelligence+cause+of+blasts' 'Lack of tough anti-terror law, weak intelligence cause of blasts' – Hindustan Times]{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

== Criticism ==
In criticizing the central government Ajai Sahni, [[executive director]] of the Institute for Conflict Management said "India's police to population ratio is one of the lowest in the world, barring the poorer African countries. There is a high deficit of personnel in intelligence gathering. The IB has barely 3,500 field officers. We need to address these shortcomings."
Security expert Prakash Singh added "they (terrorists) have no fear of being detected, arrested or prosecuted."
PR Chari, a research professor at the Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies, said "the blasts were a demonstration of their (terrorists) capabilities and a terse reminder of the state's helplessness."<ref>http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/BJP-ruled_states_incur_wrath_of_terrorists/articleshow/3286115.cms</ref>
BJP president [[Rajnath Singh]] also blamed the [[United Progressive Alliance|UPA]] government for its "soft approach" to terrorism that has allowed terrorists to grow bolder. He also took the government to task for repealing POTA and for "sleeping over the anti-terror laws like GUJCOCA (an anti-terror law adopted by the Gujarat Assembly)".<ref>[http://www.ibnlive.com/news/bangalore-ahmedabad-blasts-uncannily-similar/69675-3.html Bangalore, Ahmedabad blasts uncannily similar]</ref> Gujarat [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] chief Siddharth Patel said: "'The Gujarat government has failed miserably on the law and order front." Adding that the terror attack pointed to the "total failure' of the state's intelligence machinery."<ref>[http://www.indiaenews.com/politics/20080726/134686.htm "Gujarat Congress blames Modi government for blasts".] ''India eNews''. Accessed July 30 2008.</ref>


The [[Bahujan Samaj Party]] questioned intelligence agencies failure to be alert to the blast conspiracy, and urged the state Congress to ask the UPA to approve [[Gujarat Control of Organised Crime Act|GUJCOC]] act. The [[Vishva Hindu Parishad]] announced it planned a nationwide anti-jehadi movement from 28 July, and urged the government to act against terrorism "before it is late."<ref>[http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200807280326.htm "Togadia accuses Govt. of being soft on terrorists".] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080801023017/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200807280326.htm |date=1 August 2008 }}. Retrieved 30 July 2008.</ref> [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|AIADMK]] general secretary [[J. Jayalalithaa]] called for the revival of special act like POTA to "effectively counter terrorists and extremist outfits".<ref>[http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200807271760.htm "Jayaalithaa demands revival of POTA".] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080728194713/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200807271760.htm |date=28 July 2008 }}. Retrieved 30 July 2008.</ref>
===Conspiracy theories===
{{Seealso|Conspiracy theories}}
[[Sushma Swaraj]], a senior leader of the BJP, at a press conference in Delhi, claimed the ruling UPA government had a conspiratorial hand in the blasts to divert attention from the [[United_Progressive_Alliance#Allegations_of_bribery|allegations of bribery]] as well as to gain [[Muslim]] votes.<ref>[http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=&id=cc5386c6-fb16-46c8-aeba-c12f5e8cf68d&&Headline=Blasts+in+B'lore%2c+Ahmedabad+a+conspiracy%3a+BJP&strParent=strParentID Blasts in B'lore, Ahmedabad a conspiracy: BJP]</ref> [[Times of India]] called her comments as "scandalous" and "outrageous remarks".<ref> [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Opinion/Editorial/Below_The_Belt/articleshow/3303306.cms Below the Belt - Times of India]</ref> The Congress party's spokesman, Shakeel Ahmed said that Sushma Swaraj should be "tried for treason" and her comments have "given a clean chit to terrorists and anti-national, disruptive forces both within and outside India".<ref>[http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=2&theme=&usrsess=1&id=216286 BJP distances itself from Sushma remarks, Cong screams ‘treason!’ - The Statesman]</ref> Later on 31 July 2008, BJP's spokesperson, Prakash Javdekar, clarified that the allegation of conspiracy made by Sushma Swaraj was her personal view and to the contrary the party viewed the attacks not as a conspiracy of the Congress party but as an "an attack on the nation".<ref>[http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Red-faced-BJP-clears-the-air--says-blasts-no-conspiracy/342864/ Red-faced BJP clears the air, says blasts no conspiracy - Indian Express]</ref> Although Sushma Swaraj's comments were critically commented by some media and her own party, T. K. Arun, a columnist of [[The Economic Times]] suggested that investigations should also look into her point that some of the blasts occurred in Muslim locals of Ahmedabad and "''that a large share of those getting slaughtered by the terrorists are Muslims''".<ref>[http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Columnists/T_K_Arun_Sushma_makes_a_point/articleshow/3307960.cms Sushma Swaraj makes a point - The Economic Times]</ref>
The US national to whom the suspicious e-mail was traced escaped from India even after a lookout notice was issued.<ref>http://www.timesnow.tv/Newsdtls.aspx?NewsID=13921</ref>


A host of others who condemned the blasts included Head of the congress party [[Sonia Gandhi]],<ref>[http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Sonia-condemns-Ahmedabad-serial-blasts/Article1-326801.aspx "Sonia Gandhi condemns Ahmedabad serial blasts".] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025060109/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Sonia-condemns-Ahmedabad-serial-blasts/Article1-326801.aspx |date=25 October 2012 }}. Retrieved 30 July 2008.</ref> Union Minister of State for Home Affairs [[Prakash Jaiswal]],<ref name="howrah" /> [[CPI M]],<ref name="sify">[https://web.archive.org/web/20080803104331/http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14724629 "CPM slams serial blasts in Ahmedabad".] ''Sify news''. Retrieved 30 July 2008.</ref> the [[All India Muslim Forum]],<ref>[http://southasiacontactgroupachieve.blogspot.com/2008/07/re-southasiacontact-condemnation-of.html South Asia Contact Group Achieve: Re: [SouthAsiaContact&#93; Condemnation of Banglore and Ahmedabad Blasts – Dr. M.K.Sherwani] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120728221705/http://southasiacontactgroupachieve.blogspot.com/2008/07/re-southasiacontact-condemnation-of.html |date=28 July 2012 }}</ref> [[Sri Sri Ravi Shankar]],<ref>[http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200807271763.htm The Hindu News Update Service] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080801061533/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200807271763.htm |date=1 August 2008 }}</ref> Sanchetna, Sahrwaru, Safar, AMWA, Muslim Majlise Mushavirat, Sarkhej Muslim Welfare Organisation, Ahmedabad Muslim Welfare Society, Sirat Committee, Aman Samuday, Anhad, Swabhiman Andolan, Lok Kala Manch, Samarpan, Sarvoday Sanskrutik Manch, [[Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan]], Bharatiya Moolnivasi Janjagran Abhiyan, and Action Aid (Gujarat).<ref>[http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Political-parties-social-organisations-condemn-blasts/341357/ "Political parties, social organisations condemn blasts".] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080803064926/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Political-parties-social-organisations-condemn-blasts/341357/ |date=3 August 2008 }}. Retrieved July 2008.</ref>
== Reaction ==
===Hindu-Muslim Unity===


===International===
It is widely believed that the attacks were carried out to bring about the levels of unrest Gujarat had seen after the Godhra train burning<ref name="toi">[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Blasts_aimed_at_destroying_social_fabric_PM/articleshow/3298331.cms "Blasts aimed at destroying social fabric: PM".] ''[[The Times of India]]''. Accessed July 30, 2008.</ref>. It is believed that by targeting communally sensitive <ref>[http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200807271654.htm "Toll rises to 45, army conducts flag marches in Ahmedabad".] Accessed July 30, 2008.</ref> areas such as Sharkej, Hindus and Muslims, attackers wanted to provoke and reignite communal disharmony and riots.<ref name="toi" /> However, the people of Gujarat stood tall in unity against such violence. Peaceful demonstrations held across Gujarat by both Hindus and Muslims called attacks an act of cowardice.<ref>[http://www.hindustantimes.com/PhotoGallery/Photos_Storypage.aspx?category=SerialblastsrockAhmedabad Hindustantimes.com : Photos > Pictures, Wallpapers and Calendars from India’s leading portal]</ref> Such demonstrations of unity were also held in Delhi and Bhopal where Hindus and Muslims held candle light [[vigil]]s.<ref>http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshowpics/3292325.cms</ref>
;Countries
*{{flagu|Pakistan}}: [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|Prime Minister]] [[Yousuf Raza Gillani]] condemned the bomb attacks in Bangalore and Ahmedabad, describing them as "acts of senseless violence against innocent persons". The [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Pakistan)|Foreign Ministry]] released a statement saying, "Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani has strongly condemned the acts of terrorist violence in the Indian cities of Ahmedabad and Bangalore and expressed deep sympathies with the bereaved families and the victims of these dastardly acts of senseless violence against innocent persons."<ref name="itgo_cond" /><ref>[http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080058880&ch=7/26/2008%2011:50:00%20PM NDTV.com: Pak PM condemns Bangalore, Ahmedabad blasts] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080730033220/http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080058880&ch=7%2F26%2F2008%2011%3A50%3A00%20PM |date=30 July 2008 }}</ref>
*{{flagu|United States}}: The US embassy released a statement "The US condemns the vicious terror attacks in Bangalore on Friday and Ahmedabad on Saturday" and extended condolences to the families of the bereaved.<ref name="itgo_cond">[http://www.itgo.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7122&Itemid=1&sectionid=9 US, Pak condemn serial blasts] India Today Group Online</ref>
*{{flagu|Sri Lanka}}: Sri Lankan President [[Mahinda Rajapaksa]] condemned the serial blasts in a statement saying "I unreservedly condemn the cowardly terrorist attacks in Ahmedabad, India, yesterday, killing and injuring a large number of persons, as well as the terrorist attacks in Bangalore the previous day".<ref name="zee_3" /> The Executive President said "These wanton acts of terror by the forces are ranged against democracy...Sri Lanka being a country gravely affected by the scourge of terrorism for more than two decades, we understand well how the manipulators of terror seek to destroy harmonious relations among communities and the democratic traditions that prevail in our societies...My Government and I share the determination and commitment of the Government and people of India not to yield to this sustained threat of terror from those who seek to achieve their ends by inflicting maximum damage to the lives and limbs of civilians, disrupting their day to day lives and society at large."<ref name="zee_3" />
*{{flagu|Afghanistan|2013}}: Afghan President [[Hamid Karzai]] called for a "collective struggle against terrorism which threatens the stability of the region. Terrorism is a serious threat against the international community and this evil phenomenon must be fought collectively."<ref name="zee_3"/>
*{{flagu|France}} France: French President [[Nicolas Sarkozy]] wrote a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and offered to further strengthen cooperation in the battle against terrorism. He condemned the blasts saying they were "blind, cowardly and inhuman". In his letter he said, "On this occasion, I wish to assure you of the full solidarity of the 27 member-states of the EU and their determination to fight alongside the Indian government to eradicate the scourge of terrorism"<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Sarkozy-writes-to-PM-over-terror-attacks/Article1-327425.aspx|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130705144036/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Sarkozy-writes-to-PM-over-terror-attacks/Article1-327425.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 July 2013|title=Sarkozy writes to PM over terror attacks|access-date=28 July 2008}}</ref>


;Unions
Upon his visit to the region, PM Singh praised Gujarat's unity saying "I commend the people of Gujarat for the resilience they have shown. These terrorist acts are aimed at destroying our social fabric, undermining communal harmony and demoralising our people" <ref>[http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080059138 NDTV.com: PM praises people of Gujarat for their resilience]</ref>.
*{{flagu|United Nations}}: [[Secretary-General]] [[Ban Ki-moon]] has condemned in the "strongest terms" the series of bombings in [[2008 Bengaluru bombings|Bengaluru]] and Ahmedabad and stressed that no cause or grievance can justify terrorist acts.<ref>[http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080059035 NDTV.com: Ban Ki-moon condemns blasts in India] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080802192135/http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080059035 |date=2 August 2008 }}</ref>
*{{flagu|European Union}}: [[European Union]] condemned the attack in a statement saying "The Presidency of the Council of European Union presents its deepest condolences to India, its government and its people, as well as to the victims and their families".<ref name="zee_3">[http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=458320&sid=NAT Int`l community says terror attacks in India "unacceptable" ] Zee News {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080731012635/http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=458320&sid=NAT |date=31 July 2008 }}</ref>


== Trial and verdict ==
===India===
The trial merged 35 separated cases as a single case and was heard in a special court of Judge A. R. Patel in Ahmedabad. The trial began in 2009 and lasted for about 13 years. The hearing was concluded in September 2021. On 8 February 2022 the verdict was delivered pronouncing 28 accused acquitted due to lack of acceptable evidence while 49 as convicted.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|last=Langa|first=Mahesh|date=2022-02-08|title=49 convicted, 28 acquitted in 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts case|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/49-convicted-28-acquitted-in-2008-ahmedabad-serial-blasts-case/article38395748.ece|access-date=2022-02-08|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The sentences were provided on 18 February 2022, including 38 [[Capital punishment in India|death sentences]] and 11 life imprisonments.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite news|date=18 February 2022|title=India court sentences 38 to death over 2008 bombings|pages=1|work=CNA|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/india-court-sentences-38-death-2008-bombings-2506486|access-date=18 February 2022}}{{Dead link|date=June 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
*President [[Pratibha Patil]] condemned the blasts and "expressed deep shock at the incident and said that perpetrators were targeting the peace and harmony of the country"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200807261965.htm|title=President deplores blasts, asks people to maintain peace|date=[[July 26]], 2008|publisher=The Hindu|pages=1|language=English|accessdate=2008-07-26}}</ref>.
*Prime Minister Manmohan Singh condemned the blasts, and appealed for calm<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/26ahd2.htm|title=President, PM condemn blasts|date=[[July 26]], 2008|publisher=Rediff|language=English|accessdate=2008-07-26}}</ref>
*[[Minister for Home Affairs|Home Minister]] [[Shivraj Patil]] said: "This is a time when we should not feel frightened and we should assess the situation correctly and try to help the people, who have suffered and plan to see that these things do not happen afterwards."<ref name="howrah">[http://howrah.org/india_news/20061.html "Political reactions to Ahmedabad blasts".] Acceseed July 30, 2008.</ref>
*[[Chief Minister]] Narendra Modi also condemned the attack and called for calm.<ref name="howrah" /> He also added: "The enemies of the nation have today stained with blood the soil of Mahatma Gandhi's Gujarat. Terrorists have continued their war against India... Killing innocent people is not only a crime but is a form of enmity with the humanity. All those who believe in humanity should prepare themselves for a long war - while maintaining peace." He went on to say, "I have spoken to the prime minister and the home minister. There is a similar pattern in all recent terrorist attacks [in the country]. There must be a mastermind operating behind them all." He asserted that those responsible for the blasts will be punished, and urged the people of Gujarat to answer them by "quickening the pace of Gujarat's economic development."<ref>http://www.indiaenews.com/politics/20080727/134703.htm</ref>
*Vice-President [[Hamid Ansari]] also condemned the blasts and said that "such acts of terrorism intend to disturb the peace and harmony in the country and should be thwarted."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=592593|title=Vice President condemns serial blasts in Ahmedabad|date=[[July 26]], 2008|publisher=Outlook India|pages=1|language=English|accessdate=2008-07-26}}</ref>
*Head of the congress party [[Sonia Gandhi]] expressed "deep shock" over the blasts. She also added that this was an "act of desperation with a view to disturb the peace and harmony in the country". <ref>[http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=e8033298-ca23-415f-958a-03c778f6a3ab&ParentID=ea524d97-da77-40aa-870e-09ca9febc619&&Headline=Sonia+condemns+Ahmedabad+serial+blasts "Sonia Gandhi condemns Ahmedabad serial blasts".] Accessed July 30, 2008.</ref>
*Opposition [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] leader [[L. K. Advani]] condemned the blasts as dastardly acts by terrorists and pointed towards the sinister designs of terrorists.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=458166&sid=NAT|title=Govt, BJP condemn Ahmedabad blasts|date=[[July 26]], 2008|publisher=Zee News |pages=1|language=English|accessdate=2008-07-26}}</ref> He also added that "It looks like our anti-terror legal framework is not up to the mark and it get exposed." In criticizing the government he said after the abolition of [[POTA]], Gujarat has adopted a Maharashtra-type anti-terror law which has been awaiting Presidential assent for four years. He demanded that both Gujarat and Rajasthan should be allowed to go for their own anti-terror legislation.<ref>http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=4bb09b61-110d-4adf-bf70-c7906bd2bfb3&ParentID=ea524d97-da77-40aa-870e-09ca9febc619&&Headline='Lack+of+tough+anti-terror+law%2c+weak+intelligence+cause+of+blasts'</ref>
*Minister of State for Home Affairs [[Shakeel Ahmed]] said: "We are surprised and shocked. Yesterday, it was Bangalore. Today it is Ahmedabad. This happened even after the government of India issued high alerts to all sensitive states.” He also condemned the blasts and called for the return of normalcy while assuring the Gujarat government "of all possible assistance." He said a report of the state government was awaited befor further comment.<ref>[http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14724645 Centre 'surprised' over Ahmedabad blasts - Sify.com]</ref>
*Union Minister of State for Home Affairs [[Sri Prakash Jaiswal|Prakash Jaiswal]] termed the attack as being aimed at disrupting communal harmony and hurt India's economic growth.<ref name="howrah" />
*[[CPI M]] also condemned the blasts saying there was a "conspiracy" to destabilise the country. The party Politburo said of the blasts: "Coming so soon after the blasts in Jaipur and Bangalore, it is clear that there is a conspiracy to destabilise the country and create communal disharmony." Adding that it was "unfortunate that despite a series of such attacks, the government and the intelligence agencies are unable to crack down on those responsible for these heinous crimes."<ref name="sify">[http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14724629 "CPM slams serial blasts in Ahmedabad".] ''Sify news''. Accessed July 30, 2008.</ref>
*BJP [[spokesperson]] [[Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi]] said: "The Centre must bring in a new law as the country requires it in the wake of 42 big incidents of blasts, triggered by the terrorists during the past four-and-a-half years' rule of the UPA in the country." When asked why the BJP-ruled states were targeted in the recent series of blasts, Naqvi said "it is because of the party's firm determination to end terrorism."<ref>[http://newsx.com/story/20530 Advani calls for revival of POTA | NewsX]</ref>
*The [[Bahujan Samaj Party]] said: "There was a time when the intelligence agencies would know of a conspiracy to assassinate the Chief Minister and they would be killed in encounter before reaching Gandhinagar. How could such alert system not get a hint of Saturday's blast conspiracy? Why does not the state Congress ask the UPA to approve GUJCOC as demanded by the state government?"
*[[Jamat-e-Islami Hind]] said: "Find out the culprits and hand them the deserving punishment. But care must be taken that innocent are not harassed. No conclusions should be drawn before thorough investigation because this leads investigation to a particular direction only."
*The [[Vishwa Hindu Parishad]] said: "VHP, which plans to start a nationwide anti-jehadi movement from July 28, said that if the government did not meet its demands, Hindus would have to act themselves democratically to protect themselves and their [[Bharat]]. They are out to destroy India's economy, infrastructure and majority Hindus. The government must act now before it is late." [[Praveen Togadia]] added, "being soft towards terrorists is equally dangerous as terrorism, as both would destroy the country." He also asked the government to snap all ties with countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh, which he alleged promote terrorism. All the while he said the VHP was not against minorities imparting religious education to their children but that most madrassas "are training ground for terrorists".<ref>[http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200807280326.htm "Togadia accuses Govt. of being soft on terrorists".] Accessed July 30, 2008.</ref>
*[[BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha]]: "Let the God give them good sense and such incidents are not repeated in future. Appeal to maintain peace and stay away from all sorts of rumours."
*Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan: "It has organised Janmagal Shantipath in all temples in India and abroad. Swami Purushottampriyadasji, now in America, has appealed to his devotees to donate blood generously for the victims."
*JamiatUlma-I-Gujarat: "The anti-humanity blasts need to be investigated thoroughly, impartially and not necessarily in only one direction, because terrorists do not follow any religion."
*Students Islamic Organisation of India: "Harassment of the innocent in the name of investigations will only help actual criminals. Media should do its duty with a sense of responsibility because it has a major role in diverting such issues from reality."
*[[AIADMK]] [[General Secretary]] [[J. Jayalalithaa]] said: "In view of the serial blasts that have rocked the states in quick succession, I reiterate that, in order to defend and maintain the territorial integrity of the nation, a special act like POTA should be revived and allowed to remain in our statute books to effectively counter terrorists and extremist outfits...These dastardly acts of terrorists must be condemned by us in the strongest terms. I urge the central and state governments to make a thorough probe to nab the culprits. We must solemnly resolve to stand firm and united against such acts of mindless terror".<ref>[http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200807271760.htm "Jayaalithaa demands revival of POTA".] Accessed July 30, 2008.</ref>
*[[Sri Sri Ravi Shankar]] said: "The Indian people cannot tolerate such violent acts of terrorism any more." He appealed to Muslim leaders "to play a proactive role and isolate the misguided elements spreading terror in the name of religion".<ref>[http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200807271763.htm The Hindu News Update Service]</ref>
*[[Hurriyat]] conference leader [[Zaffar Akbar Bhat]] described the blasts as "inhuman acts against innocent people." He add that it is the innocent Kashmiri students and traders who have to bore the brunt of police action in the wake of the blasts. "Kashmiri people are made the soft targets." Bhat also condemned the Thursday’s blast of [[Batmaloo]] in Kashmir which killed five memebrs of a family. He went to say "The way BJP and right wing groups are unleashing terror on Muslims in Jammu and expelling them from Jammu is deplorable."<ref>[http://www.greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=28_7_2008&ItemID=41&cat=21 "Hurriyat (M) condemns B’lore, Ahmadabad blasts".] Accessed July 30, 2008.</ref>
*A statement from the [[All India Muslim Forum]] said the group "strongly condemns the dastardly terrorist blasts at Banglore and Ahmedabad, claiming scores of innocent lives and injuring hundreds, and appeals to the people to maintain communal harmony in the face of these sinister moves which aim at tearing apart the country's social fabric."<ref>[http://southasiacontactgroupachieve.blogspot.com/2008/07/re-southasiacontact-condemnation-of.html South Asia Contact Group Achieve: Re: [SouthAsiaContact&#93; Condemnation of Banglore and Ahmedabad Blasts - Dr.M.K.Sherwani]</ref>


{| class="wikitable sortable
A host of others who condemned the blasts include Sanchetna, Sahrwaru, Safar, AMWA, Muslim Majlise Mushavirat, Sarkhej Muslim Welfare Organisation, Ahmedabad Muslim Welfare Society, Sirat Committee, Aman Samuday, Anhad, Swabhiman Andolan, Lok Kala Manch, Samarpan, Sarvoday Sanskrutik Manch, Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, Bharatiya Moolnivasi Janjagran Abhiyan, and Action Aid (Gujarat).<ref>[http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Political-parties-social-organisations-condemn-blasts/341357/ "Political parties, social organisations condemn blasts".] Accessed July, 2008.</ref>
|+List of convicts<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=09-02-2022 : Surat ePaper: Read Surat Local Hindi Newspaper Online,Page 1|url=https://epaper.bhaskar.com/surat/488/09022022/mpcg/0/|access-date=2022-02-10|website=Dainik Bhaskar|language=hi}}</ref>
!#
!Name
!Native State
!Notes
|-
|1
|Zahid Sheikh
|[[Gujarat]]
|
|-
|2
|Imran Sheikh
|[[Gujarat]]
|
|-
|3
|Iqbal Sheikh
|[[Gujarat]]
|
|-
|4
|Samsuddin Sheikh
|[[Gujarat]]
|
|-
|5
|Javed Sheikh
|[[Gujarat]]
|
|-
|6
|Asif Sheikh
|[[Maharashtra]]
|
|-
|7
|Atique Khiljee
|[[Rajasthan]]
|
|-
|8
|Mehdi Ansari
|[[Rajasthan]]
|
|-
|9
|Safiq Ansari
|[[Madhya Pradesh]]
|
|-
|10
|Rafiuddin
|[[Gujarat]]
|
|-
|11
|Arif Mirza
|[[Uttar Pradesh]]
|
|-
|12
|Kabumuddin
|[[Gujarat]]
|
|-
|13
|Sibyl Muslim
|[[Kerala]]
|
|-
|14
|Safdar Nagori
|[[Madhya Pradesh]]
|
|-
|15
|Hafiz Mulla
|[[Karnataka]]
|
|-
|16
|Sajid Mansoori
|[[Gujarat]]
|
|-
|17
|Afzal Usmani
|[[Maharashtra]]
|
|-
|18
|Sarfuddin Itti
|[[Telangana]]
|
|-
|19
|Md. Sadiq Sheikh
|[[Maharashtra]]
|
|-
|20
|Md Arif Sheikh
|[[Maharashtra]]
|
|-
|21
|Akbar Chaudhary
|[[Maharashtra]]
|
|-
|22
|Fazal Durani
|[[Maharashtra]]
|
|-
|23
|Nausad Sayed
|[[Gujarat]]
|
|-
|24
|Ahmed Barelvi
|[[Gujarat]]
|
|-
|25
|Rafiq Afidi
|[[Gujarat]]
|
|-
|26
|Amin Sheik
|[[Rajasthan]]
|
|-
|27
|Md. Mobin Khan
|[[Uttar Pradesh]]
|
|-
|28
|Md. Ansar
|[[Gujarat]]
|
|-
|29
|Gyasuddin Ansari
|[[Gujarat]]
|
|-
|30
|Arif Kagzi
|[[Gujarat]]
|
|-
|31
|Usmaan
|[[Gujarat]]
|
|-
|32
|Yunus Mansoori
|[[Gujarat]]
|
|-
|33
|Imran Pathan
|[[Rajasthan]]
|
|-
|34
|Abubasar Sheikh
|[[Uttar Pradesh]]
|
|-
|35
|Abaas Sameza
|[[Gujarat]]
|
|-
|36
|Saifu Ansari
|[[Uttar Pradesh]]
|
|-
|37
|Md. Saif Sheikh
|[[Uttar Pradesh]]
|
|-
|38
|Zishan Sheikh
|[[Uttar Pradesh]]
|
|-
|39
|Jia-ur-Rahman
|[[Uttar Pradesh]]
|
|-
|40
|Tanveer Pathan
|[[Uttar Pradesh]]
|
|-
|41
|Abraar Maniyar
|[[Uttar Pradesh]]
|
|-
|42
|Shaduli Karim
|[[Kerala]]
|
|-
|43
|Tausif Pathan
|[[Maharashtra]]
|
|-
|44
|Md. Ali Ansari
|[[Madhya Pradesh]]
|
|-
|45
|Md. Ismail
|[[Gujarat]]
|
|-
|46
|Kamruddin
|[[Madhya Pradesh]]
|
|-
|47
|Aleem Kazi
|[[Madhya Pradesh]]
|
|-
|48
|Aniq Sayed
|[[Maharashtra]]
|
|-
|49
|Md. Shaqil
|[[Uttar Pradesh]]
|
|}


{| class="wikitable sortable"
=== International ===
|+Number convicts Per [[States and union territories of India]]<ref name=":0" />
{{flagicon|United Nations}} [[United Nations]]
!#
*[[Secretary-General]] [[Ban Ki-moon]] has condemned in the "strongest terms" the series of bombings in [[2008 Bengaluru bombings|Bengaluru]] and [[2008 Ahmedabad bombings|Ahmedabad]] and stressed that no cause or grievance can justify terrorist acts.<ref>[http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080059035 NDTV.com: Ban Ki-moon condemns blasts in India]</ref>
![[States and union territories of India|States / union territories]]
{{PAK}}
!Convict Count
*[[Prime Minister of Pakistan|Prime Minister]] [[Yousuf Raza Gillani]] condemned the bomb attacks in Bangalore and Ahmedabad, describing them as "acts of senseless violence against innocent persons".
!% of convicts
*The [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Pakistan)|Foreign Ministry]] released a statement saying, "Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani has strongly condemned the acts of terrorist violence in the Indian cities of Ahmedabad and Bangalore and expressed deep sympathies with the bereaved families and the victims of these dastardly acts of senseless violence against innocent persons." <ref name="itgo_cond" /><ref>[http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080058880&ch=7/26/2008%2011:50:00%20PM NDTV.com: Pak PM condemns Bangalore, Ahmedabad blasts]</ref>
|-
{{USA}}
|1
* The US embassy released a statement "The US condemns the vicious terror attacks in Bangalore on Friday and Ahmedabad on Saturday" and extended condolences to the families of the bereaved. <ref name="itgo_cond">[http://www.itgo.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7122&Itemid=1&sectionid=9 US, Pak condemn serial blasts] India Today Group Online</ref>
|[[Gujarat]]
{{EU}}
|18
*[[European Union]] condemed the attack in a statement saying "The Presidency of the Council of European Union presents its deepest condolences to India, its government and its people, as well as to the victims and their families" <ref name="zee_3">[http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=458320&sid=NAT Int`l community says terror attacks in India "unacceptable" ] Zee News</ref>.
|36.73%
{{SRI}}
|-
*Sri Lankan President [[Mahinda Rajapaksa]] condemned the serial blasts in a statement saying "I unreservedly condemn the cowardly terrorist attacks in Ahmedabad, India, yesterday, killing and injuring a large number of persons, as well as the terrorist attacks in Bangalore the previous day" <ref name="zee_3" />.
|2
*The Executive President said "These wanton acts of terror by the forces are ranged against democracy...Sri Lanka being a country gravely affected by the scourge of terrorism for more than two decades, we understand well how the manipulators of terror seek to destroy harmonious relations among communities and the democratic traditions that prevail in our societies...My Government and I share the determination and commitment of the Government and people of India not to yield to this sustained threat of terror from those who seek to achieve their ends by inflicting maximum damage to the lives and limbs of civilians, disrupting their day to day lives and society at large." <ref name="zee_3" />
|[[Uttar Pradesh]]
{{AFG}}
|10
*Afghan President [[Hamid Karzai]] called for a "collective struggle against terrorism which threatens the stability of the region. Terrorism is a serious threat against the international community and this evil phenomenon must be fought collectively." <ref name="zee_3" />
|20.4%
{{FRA}}
|-
*French President [[Nicolas Sarkozy]] wrote a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and offered to further strengthen cooperation in the battle against terrorism. He condemned the blasts saying they were "blind, cowardly and inhuman". In his letter he said, “On this occasion, I wish to assure you of the full solidarity of the 27 member-states of the EU and their determination to fight alongside the Indian government to eradicate the scourge of terrorism"<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=&id=0da41747-0be5-41a5-843f-830052fa03b2&&Headline=Sarkozy+writes+to+PM+over+terror+attacks&strParent=strParentID|title=Sarkozy writes to PM over terror attacks|accessdate=2008-07-28}}</ref>
|3
|[[Maharashtra]]
|8
|16.32%
|-
|4
|[[Madhya Pradesh]]
|5
|10.20%
|-
|5
|[[Rajasthan]]
|4
|8.16%
|-
|6
|[[Kerala]]
|2
|4.08%
|-
|7
|[[Karnataka]]
|1
|2.04%
|-
|8
|[[Telangana]]
|1
|2.04%
|-
|Total
|
|49
|100%
|}


==See also==
==See also==
* [[List of terrorist incidents, 2008]]
* [[List of Islamist terrorist attacks]]
* [[List of terrorist incidents in 2008]]
* [[Abdul Subhan Qureshi]]
* [[Abdul Subhan Qureshi]]
* [[Allegations of state terrorism committed by Pakistan]]


== External links ==
==External links==
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/7527147.stm Ahmedabad Blasts in pictures] [[BBC]]
* [http://www.itgo.in/index.php?option=com_registration&exist=yes&task=homegallery&assignedid=172&thu Ahmedabad Blasts in pictures] [[India Today]]
* [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshowpics/msid-3283957.cms Ahmedabad Blasts in pictures] Times of India
* [http://www.itgo.in/index.php?option=com_registration&exist=yes&task=homegallery&assignedid=172&thumbid=172 Ahmedabad Blasts in pictures] [[India Today]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{Reflist}}
{{War on Terrorism}}
{{US War on Terror}}


{{coord missing|Gujarat}}
[[Category:Ahmedabad]]
[[Category:2008 in India|Ahmedabad serial blasts]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents in 2008|Ahmedabad serial blasts]]
[[Category:Terrorism in India since 2001]]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Ahmedabad Bombings}}
[[bn:আহমেদাবাদ বিস্ফোরন-২০০৮]]
[[Category:21st-century mass murder in India]]
[[bs:Bombaški napad u Ahmedabadu 2008.]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents in India in 2008]]
[[hi:२६ जुलाई २००८ अहमदाबाद बम विस्फोट]]
[[Category:Religiously motivated violence in India]]
[[id:Bom Ahmedabad 2008]]
[[Category:Indian Mujahideen attacks]]
[[no:Terrorangrepene i Ahmedabad 26. juli 2008]]
[[Category:History of Ahmedabad]]
[[ta:2008 அகமதாபாத் தொடர் குண்டுவெடிப்புகள்]]
[[Category:Mass murder in 2008]]
[[wuu:2008年艾哈迈德堡炸弹爆炸]]
[[Category:Bus bombings in India]]
[[Category:Building bombings in India]]
[[Category:Islamic terrorist incidents in 2008]]
[[Category:History of Gujarat (1947–present)]]
[[Category:Crime in Gujarat]]
[[Category:2008 murders in India]]
[[Category:Improvised explosive device bombings in 2008]]
[[Category:July 2008 events in India]]
[[Category:Events in Ahmedabad]]
[[Category:July 2008 crimes]]
[[Category:2008 building bombings]]
[[Category:2000s in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Hospital bombings in Asia]]
[[Category:Attacks on hospitals in India]]
[[Category:2008 controversies]]
[[Category:Religious controversies in India]]
[[Category:Islam in India]]
[[Category:2008 in Indian politics]]

Latest revision as of 03:45, 26 May 2024

2008 Ahmedabad bombings
LocationAhmedabad, Gujarat, India
Date26 July 2008; 15 years ago (2008-07-26)
18:45 – 19:55[1] (IST)
Attack type
Bombing[2]
Deaths56[3]
Injured200[4]
PerpetratorIndian Mujahideen
Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami
Accused77 (of which 28 were acquitted)
Convicted49 (See list below)
VerdictAll 49 convicts found guilty on 18 February 2022[5]
Convictions
  • Murder
  • Attempted murder
  • Property damage

The 2008 Ahmedabad bombings were a series of 21 bomb blasts that hit Ahmedabad, India, on 26 July 2008, within a span of 70 minutes. Fifty-six people were killed and over 200 people were injured.[3][4] Ahmedabad is the cultural and commercial heart of Gujarat state and a large part of western India. The blasts were considered to be of low intensity and were similar to the Bangalore blasts, Karnataka which occurred the day before.[6][7][8] This bombings were done by Pakistani Islamic Terrorist group Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami.[9]

Several TV channels had received an e-mail from a terror outfit called Indian Mujahideen claiming responsibility for the terror attacks;[10][11] Islamic militant group Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami, however, has claimed responsibility for the attacks.[12] The Gujarat police arrested the suspected mastermind, Mufti Abu Bashir, along with nine others, in connection to the bombings.[13]

In a verdict given by Ahmedabad special court in February 2022, of the 77 accused, 28 were acquitted for lack of evidence, 11 were sentenced to life imprisonment and 38 were sentenced to death.[14][15]

Bombings[edit]

Prime minister Manmohan Singh visits bomb blast site, with him is Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi.

The bombs were planted in Tiffin carriers on bicycles, a pattern similar to the 13 May 2008 Jaipur bombings.[1] Many of the blasts targeted the city bus service of AMTS (Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service), ripping apart portions of the vehicles.[16] Two blasts took place inside the premises of two hospitals, about 40 minutes after the initial series of blasts. One of the blasts in the hospitals occurred when injured victims of the initial series of blasts were being admitted there.[17] Another bomb was found and defused on the following day in the Hatkeshwar area. Two live bombs were also retrieved from Maninagar, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's constituency.[18]

Gujarat police recovered and defused two more bombs in Surat, another major city in Gujarat, a day after the Ahmedabad blasts. Two cars filled with materials required to make explosives, including detonators, were also found, one of them parked on a roadside near a hospital,[19] and the other in the outskirts of Surat.[20]

Bombing Locations[edit]

  • Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, trauma center
  • Khadia
  • Raipur
  • Sarangpur
  • L.G. Hospital, Maninagar
  • Maninagar
  • Hatkeshwar Circle
  • Bapunagar
  • Thakkarbapa Nagar
  • Jawahar Chowk
  • Govindwadi
  • Isanpur
  • Narol
  • Sarkhej

Warning of attacks through e-mail[edit]

Several news agencies reported receiving a 14-page e-mail five minutes before the explosions with the subject line: "Await 5 minutes for the revenge of Gujarat",[21] apparently referring to the 2002 Gujarat violence which took place after the Godhra train burning incident. The e-mail was sent by the Islamic extremist group known as Indian Mujahideen on 26 July at around 6:41pm IST.[22]

The contents of the e-mail warned of attacks in 5 minutes: "In the name of Allah the Indian Mujahideen strike again! Do whatever you can, within 5 minutes from now, feel the terror of Death!"[23]

The e-mail also contained threats against Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Vilasrao Deshmukh, and his deputy, R.R. Patil, with the claim, "We wonder at your memory. Have you forgotten the evening of 11 July 2006 so quickly and so easily?"[23]

Furthermore, the threats went on to warn Indian businessman Mukesh Ambani of Reliance Industries to "think-twice" before "usurping and building a citadel on a land in Mumbai that belongs to the Waqf board...lest it turns into horrifying memories for you which you will never ever forget".[23]

The e-mail also reportedly threatened several Bollywood actors, asking them to stop acting.[23]

Police reported that they questioned U.S. national Ken Haywood from whose IP address the threatening email was sent. Haywood's residence in the Sanpada area of Navi Mumbai was raided by ATS officials on 27 July after the IP address from which a threatening email was sent minutes before the Ahmedabad serial blasts was found to be his.[24]

Casualties[edit]

Manmohan Singh and Narendra Modi visit injured victims at a hospital in Ahmadabad.

56 people were killed by the bombing and over 200 people were injured.[3][4]

Initially, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh sanctioned an ex gratia payment of ₹ 100,000 (US$2,300) to the next of kin of the dead. However, upon visiting Ahmedabad, he raised the ex gratia figure to ₹ 350,000 (US$8,050). In addition, he also announced a compensation of ₹ 50,000 (US$1,200) for those injured in the blasts.[25]

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi announced a compensation of Rs 500,000 (US$11,500) to each victim of the bomb blasts.[26]

Investigations[edit]

Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami has claimed the responsibility of the blasts. The email mentioned that "the innocent Muslims arrested in the (Mumbai), bomb blast case are being tried for years and years."[27]

Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta said the Centre dispatched one team of bomb experts and decided to convene a meeting of top officials of state governments to discuss the situation arising out of the recent explosions.[28]

According to the Times of India the intelligence community believes that both blasts of Bangalore and Ahmedabad were executed by a network of Wahabi fundamentalists masquerading as Indian Mujahideen.[29]

Leads in the case[edit]

  • Several TV channels stated that they had received an e-mail from a terror outfit called Indian Mujahideen claiming responsibility for the terror attacks. This e-mail has been traced to a locality in Navi Mumbai.[11][30] This outfit in the past claimed responsibility for the Jaipur bombings on 13 May 2008.[31]
  • The police investigation has centered around the claims made in two phone calls.
Police sketch released to media on 27 July 2008
  • A doctor who was visiting one of the hospitals where one of the blasts occurred has claimed to have overheard a person talking on his cellphone saying, "Bangalore was a failure, however Ahmedabad will be successful and we will celebrate if God wishes.".[32] A sketch of this person, shown alongside, was released. The doctor described the suspected culprit as being around "30–34 years old; wearing a pink shirt; clean shaven; and seemingly an educated person."[32]
  • A person has claimed to have received two suspicious phone calls at around 8:00pm IST.[32] In one of the phone calls, it is reported that the caller said, "Ejaz, kaam ho gaya hai?", which translates to "Ejaz, has the job been done?"[32]
  • Two cars, both stolen Maruti Wagon R models with vehicle license plates reading "GJ-6-CD 3569" and "GJ-5-CD 2908" were also found in Surat. One of the cars had four live bombs which were defused. In addition, a wooden box with white powder, wires, a battery and shrapnel was also found near Nupur hospital.[33] The cars used for bombings in Ahmedabad and those that were defused in Surat were eventually traced to Navi Mumbai, from where they had been stolen on 7 and 15 July 2008.[34] Investigations revealed that they were subsequently laden with explosives in Vadodara,[35] before being brought to Ahmedabad and Surat.
  • On 30 July 2008, it was reported that the police had found CCTV footage of the driver of one of the cars used for the bombings. The photo was obtained from a toll booth near Pune. It had been earlier established that the bombers had stolen the cars from Navi Mumbai before driving it to Gujarat.[36] The car used in the blast at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital was driven 6 times between Ahmedabad and Surat between 7 and 24 July.[37]
  • On 4 August 2008, the Gujarat police claimed to have their first breakthrough in the case with the identification of the shop from where the LPG cylinders used for the blasts were bought. The police also claimed that the crates in which the bombs were planted were made from locally purchased wood.[38]

Suspects[edit]

  • The Hindustan Times reported on 28 July 2008 that police and intelligence officials had zeroed in on three masterminds behind the blasts. The suspects, Rasool Khan Yakoob Khan Pathan alias Rasool 'Party', Sohail Khan and Mufti Sufiyan, are suspected to be key operatives of either the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) or the Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HuJI). They are also believed to have got to Pakistan after the 2002 Gujarat riots.[39]
  • On 29 July 2008, the police detained three suspects, Abdul Qadir, Hasil Mohammad and Hussain Ibrahim, near Limdi on Rajkot-Ahmedabad highway in Surendranagar district, while they were leaving Ahmedabad soon after the blasts[40]
  • On 30 July 2008, it was reported on Rediff that the Intelligence Bureau (IB) believed two men, Rasool Khan Parti and Mohammad Sufiya Ahmed Patangiya, who are currently living at Farahan Arcade Gulistan in Karachi were the masterminds behind both the Ahmedabad and the 2008 Bangalore serial blasts. They were previously residents of Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh, and are members of Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami. The Gujarat Police has been looking for them in connection to the murder of former Gujarat state minister Haren Pandya.[41]
  • On 16 August 2008, the Gujarat Police announced that they had solved the case,[42] making it the fastest terrorism case to be solved in recent years. According to the Gujarat Director General of Police P.C.Pande, Mufti Abu Bashir was the mastermind behind the blasts, and up to 10 of his accomplices had been arrested.
  • On 20 November 2008, the Gujarat Police claimed that Amir Raza Khan, a HuJI operative from Kolkatta now in Pakistan, was also the mastermind of the blasts. In a chargesheet filed by the Crime Branch, SIMI members Safdar Nagori, Hafez Hussain, Sibli Abdul Karim, Kamruddin Nagori, Amil Parvez and Mufti Abu Basher planned the attack and asked Abdus Subhan alias Tauqeer and Qayamuddin Kapadia for executing the blasts. SIMI members organised terror training camps in Waghamon in Kerala and Halol near Vadodara. Qayamuddin and Tauqeer then held a meeting with their local contacts in the city for arrangements of logistics and support to carry out the conspiracy. The local contacts were those who were associated with SIMI before it was banned in 2001 by the Central Government.[43]

Arrests[edit]

  • Maulana Abdul Halim, a suspected Students Islamic Movement of India activist, was arrested from Dani Limda in the heart of Ahmedabad on 27 July 2008. He was alleged to be involved in instigating the Muslim youth after the 2002 Gujarat violence and sending them to Uttar Pradesh for terror training.[44] Charges have also been laid on him for sending 33 youths for terror training to Pakistan in 2003.[45] After his arrest, he was remanded to a 14-day police custody by the Metropolitan Magistrate in Ahmedabad.[46]
  • On 15 August, the Gujarat police arrested Mufti Abu Bashir, and nine others, in connection to the bombings.[13] Bashir belongs to Binapara village in Azamgarh district of eastern Uttar Pradesh, and was believed to be a SIMI activist.
  • On 24 October, a SIMI activist, Abdul Razik Mansuri, a resident of Gomtipur area Nagda district, Madhya Pradesh, had been arrested along with Harun Rashid, a Gujrat residence and send to Gujarat for questioning. The Joint Commissioner of Police for the crime branch, Ashish Bhatia, said: "He was arrested from the Nagda district in Madhya Pradesh by our team. He was there staying with some of his relative. We have brought him to Ahmedabad for interrogation." He added that Mansuri was likely to be produced before a court in Ahmedabad to be remanded to judicial custody.[47]
  • On 11 November, the Madhya Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) arrested Qayamuddin Kapadia, a top-ranking member of SIMI and a key conspirator and executor of the attack, In Ujjain. Police claimed that Kapadia admitted his involvement in the Ahmedabad blasts, and that he, along with Abdul Subhan Qureshi alias Tauqeer of Mumbai and Riaz Bhatkal of Karnataka, collaborated with the SIMI cell led by Atif to carry out the Delhi blasts. Atif was later killed in an encounter with special cell of Delhi Police.[48]
  • On 13 November, Rafiuddin Kapadia, the brother of the key accused, Qayamuddin Kapadia, was arrested by the city police of Ahmedabad. His arrest took the toll of the total held by the police to 43. The Joint Commissioner of Police, Ashish Bhatia, who is heading the probe in the serial blasts case, said: "We have arrested Rafiuddin Kapadia, brother of Qayamuddin. He was present at the SIMI training camp in Halol near Vadodara. He originally hails from Vadodara and was arrested today from Ahmedabad by the crime branch officials."[49]
  • On 26 March 2012, Maharashtra ATS arrested one blast suspect Mohammed Abrar Babu Khan alias Abrar Shaikh in an encounter in Sambhajinagar. Khaleel Qureshi was killed and Mohammed Shakeer was wounded in the encounter. All are alleged to be members of terrorist group Indian Mujahideen. A police constable was also injured during the firing.[50]
  • On 19 June 2016, Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad, arrested Nasir Rangrez from Belgaum.[51]

Legal case[edit]

Controversy arose in the court case of the 26 accused as the state was alleged to have suppressed the legal rights of the accused. On 23 October lawyers of the accused walked out in protest against the stand taken by the Metropolitan Magistrate. The lawyers wanted to meet the accused alone, however, they had moved an application stating that police did not allow them to meet their clients alone and that the Court should direct the police not to remain present while they were talking to the accused. The Metropolitan Magistrate countered that it was not possible as police had to be with the accused. He is said to have hinted at collusion between the lawyers and the accused, causing a walk out by the accused's lawyers.[52] The next day, in two different cases, the designated Metropolitan Court remanded all the 26 accused to police custody until 31 October.[53]

As per the legal rules police have to file a chargesheet in any case before 90 days of the first arrest of the case. However, on 11 November, about three and half months after blasts and the late July arrest, the Gujarat police filed a chargesheet, pertaining to the city civil hospital blast and L G hospital blast case, in a court naming 26 people, all with alleged linked to SIMI, as accuseds in the case. A 2,000-page chargesheet was filed in the court of the Metropolitan Magistrate, G M Patel. The accused included SIMI activists Mufti Abu Basher, Safdar Nagori and Sajid Mansuri. The chargesheet also listed the names of 50 absconders, and that police had so far examined 511 potential witnesses.[54]

Similarities[edit]

Similarities between the Bangalore and Ahmedabad bombings were investigated, where the former suffered from eight blasts and the latter 21. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Prakash Jaiswal told reporters in Kanpur that the similarities between this and the Bangalore blasts was that both "blasts were of low intensity" and were planted in crowded areas.[6][7] Furthermore, both states – Karnataka and Gujarat – have BJP led governments.[7]

Further threats[edit]

The threat of terror continued even after Ahmedabad blasts. The Gujarat police discovered an active bomb which was set to detonate at 12:00am IST in Hatkeshwar, Maninagar.[33] A bomb squad was quick to respond and successfully managed to defuse the bomb in front of a large crowd, which rose to jubilation and applause upon bomb's defusion.[33]

Kerala[edit]

A phone call from Pakistan to a Karnataka journalist claimed there would be more blasts in Kerala on Sunday. Kerala police chief Raman Srivastava said: "I have been informed by the DGP of Karnataka about the terror threat to Kerala. We spoke to the journalist concerned, who said he had received two calls today – one at 1 pm and another at 3:30 pm."[55]

Surat[edit]

On the following Monday, just days after the Ahmedabad blasts, another bomb was found in Varachha area of Surat.[56] The bomb was placed near an electricity transmitter and contained a packet 700–800 grams of ammonium nitrate, a packet of shrapnel, two detonators, one battery, and a circuit.[56] This was found after the two car bombs that were discovered immediately after Ahmedabad attacks.[56]

On Tuesday, 29 July, eighteen bombs were found in Surat, and were subsequently defused. They were found mainly in the diamond-processing and residential areas of Surat, within a span of just four hours.[57][58][59] According to the Times of India, a top government official believed that the planting of so many "unexploded" bombs was probably a means to divert attention of the police from the ongoing blast probe.[60] After Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi visited the city another bomb was found and defused by a bomb disposal squad. All in all, 23 bombs were found in three days in Surat.[61]

Forensic investigations revealed that the bombs had not exploded because the circuits had been wrongly assembled. The police were not sure whether that was on purpose or a way to estimate the reaction time of the bomb squad, for planning future attacks.[62]

Rajasthan[edit]

Three bombs were detected on the road in Pali district, near Marwar Junction in Rajasthan. The bombs, put in half-litre oil containers, were planted on the Marwar-Ranawas Road at gap of one km and were spotted by onlookers. The box carried a bundle of fuse wire, 30–40 marbles, 8 iron plates, and detonator. There was no timer nor any electronic device attached to the explosives. The bombs were defused by the bomb squad.[63]

Tamil Nadu[edit]

In Tamil Nadu, Sheikh Abdul Ghaffoor, 39, was arrested with an alleged plan of carrying out bombings on Independence Day, 15 August 2008.[64] The plot included bombing the state capital Chennai along with three other cities in Tamil Nadu and at least six trains.[64] Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai is believed to be on top of the list for such terror attack.[65] The man was detained with a large cache of explosives and two timer devices. Apparently, it is believed that the plot was revealed by an arrested leader, P Ali Abdullah, of a banned organisation, who has been serving sentences in an Indian jail since 2003.[64] Chennai city police later on 1 August 2008 announced that the arrests were not linked with either the Ahmedabad or Bangalore blasts.[66]

Kolkata[edit]

An E-Mail was sent to Kolkata on 29 July 2008 to bomb 8 different locations in Kolkata. Subsequently, high alert was placed in Kolkata but the E-mail turned out to be a hoax.

New Delhi[edit]

Another E-mail was sent to the Japanese Embassy in New Delhi on 30 July 2008 to bomb several locations in Delhi. The mail was soon forwarded to the Delhi Police from the Japanese Embassy and the city was placed under a Red Alert. The E-Mail threatened to bomb Sarojini Nagar which was a target in the October 2005 bombings. Further to these threats Japan closed its embassy in New Delhi on 31 July 2008 and also issue warning to its citizens living in India to avoid crowded places like markets and train stations.[67] Nevertheless, the initial examination of a youth arrested for sending emails to the Japanese embassy indicated that he might suffer from some mental problems.[68] Delhi police revealed that the youth who sent the email was frustrated of a failed visa application to the embassy and the email threat was a hoax.[69]

Criticism[edit]

In criticizing the central government Ajai Sahni, executive director of the Institute for Conflict Management said "India's police to population ratio is one of the lowest in the world, barring the poorer African countries. There is a high deficit of personnel in intelligence gathering. The IB has barely 3,500 field officers. We need to address these shortcomings."

Security expert Prakash Singh added "they (terrorists) have no fear of being detected, arrested or prosecuted."

PR Chari, a research professor at the Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies, said "the blasts were a demonstration of their (terrorists) capabilities and a terse reminder of the state's helplessness."[70]

BJP president Rajnath Singh also blamed the UPA government for its "soft approach" to terrorism that has allowed terrorists to grow bolder. He also took the government to task for repealing POTA and for "sleeping over the anti-terror laws like GUJCOCA (an anti-terror law adopted by the Gujarat Assembly)".[71] Gujarat Congress chief Siddharth Patel said: "'The Gujarat government has failed miserably on the law and order front." Adding that the terror attack pointed to the "total failure' of the state's intelligence machinery."[72]

Sushma Swaraj, a senior leader of the BJP, at a press conference in Delhi, claimed the ruling UPA government had a conspiratorial hand in the blasts to divert attention from the allegations of bribery as well as to gain Muslim votes.[73] Times of India called her comments as "scandalous" and "outrageous remarks".[74] The Congress party's spokesman, Shakeel Ahmed said that Sushma Swaraj should be "tried for treason" and her comments have "given a clean chit to terrorists and anti-national, disruptive forces both within and outside India".[75] Later on 31 July 2008, BJP's spokesperson, Prakash Javdekar, clarified that the allegation of conspiracy made by Sushma Swaraj was her personal view and to the contrary the party viewed the attacks not as a conspiracy of the Congress party but as "an attack on the nation".[76] Although Sushma Swaraj's comments were critically commented by some media and her own party, T. K. Arun, a columnist of The Economic Times suggested that investigations should also look into her point that some of the blasts occurred in Muslim locals of Ahmedabad and "that a large share of those getting slaughtered by the terrorists are Muslims".[77] The US national to whom the suspicious e-mail was traced escaped from India even after a lookout notice was issued.[78]

Reaction[edit]

Hindu–Muslim Unity[edit]

It is widely believed that the attacks were carried out to bring about the levels of unrest Gujarat had seen after the Godhra train burning.[79] It is believed that by targeting communally sensitive[80] areas such as Sarkhej, Muslims attackers wanted to provoke and re-ignite communal disharmony and riots.[79] However, the people of Gujarat stood tall in unity against such violence. Peaceful demonstrations held across Gujarat by both Hindus and Muslims called attacks an act of cowardice.[81] Such demonstrations of unity were also held in Delhi and Bhopal where Hindus and Muslims held candlelight vigils.[82]

Upon his visit to the region, PM Singh praised Gujarat's unity saying "I commend the people of Gujarat for the resilience they have shown. These terrorist acts are aimed at destroying our social fabric, undermining communal harmony and demoralising our people".[83]

President Pratibha Patil,[84] Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,[85] Vice-president Hamid Ansari,[86] Chief Minister Narendra Modi,[87][dead link][failed verification] all condemned the blasts and appealed for calm. Minister of State for Home Affairs Shakeel Ahmed expressed surprise and shock at the successive attacks.[88] Home Minister Shivraj Patil said: "we should assess the situation correctly and try to help the people, who have suffered and plan to see that these things do not happen afterwards."[87]

Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party leader L. K. Advani condemned the blasts,[89] and demanded that both Gujarat and Rajasthan should be allowed to go for their own anti-terror legislation.[90]

The Bahujan Samaj Party questioned intelligence agencies failure to be alert to the blast conspiracy, and urged the state Congress to ask the UPA to approve GUJCOC act. The Vishva Hindu Parishad announced it planned a nationwide anti-jehadi movement from 28 July, and urged the government to act against terrorism "before it is late."[91] AIADMK general secretary J. Jayalalithaa called for the revival of special act like POTA to "effectively counter terrorists and extremist outfits".[92]

A host of others who condemned the blasts included Head of the congress party Sonia Gandhi,[93] Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Prakash Jaiswal,[87] CPI M,[94] the All India Muslim Forum,[95] Sri Sri Ravi Shankar,[96] Sanchetna, Sahrwaru, Safar, AMWA, Muslim Majlise Mushavirat, Sarkhej Muslim Welfare Organisation, Ahmedabad Muslim Welfare Society, Sirat Committee, Aman Samuday, Anhad, Swabhiman Andolan, Lok Kala Manch, Samarpan, Sarvoday Sanskrutik Manch, Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, Bharatiya Moolnivasi Janjagran Abhiyan, and Action Aid (Gujarat).[97]

International[edit]

Countries
  •  Pakistan: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani condemned the bomb attacks in Bangalore and Ahmedabad, describing them as "acts of senseless violence against innocent persons". The Foreign Ministry released a statement saying, "Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani has strongly condemned the acts of terrorist violence in the Indian cities of Ahmedabad and Bangalore and expressed deep sympathies with the bereaved families and the victims of these dastardly acts of senseless violence against innocent persons."[98][99]
  •  United States: The US embassy released a statement "The US condemns the vicious terror attacks in Bangalore on Friday and Ahmedabad on Saturday" and extended condolences to the families of the bereaved.[98]
  •  Sri Lanka: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa condemned the serial blasts in a statement saying "I unreservedly condemn the cowardly terrorist attacks in Ahmedabad, India, yesterday, killing and injuring a large number of persons, as well as the terrorist attacks in Bangalore the previous day".[100] The Executive President said "These wanton acts of terror by the forces are ranged against democracy...Sri Lanka being a country gravely affected by the scourge of terrorism for more than two decades, we understand well how the manipulators of terror seek to destroy harmonious relations among communities and the democratic traditions that prevail in our societies...My Government and I share the determination and commitment of the Government and people of India not to yield to this sustained threat of terror from those who seek to achieve their ends by inflicting maximum damage to the lives and limbs of civilians, disrupting their day to day lives and society at large."[100]
  •  Afghanistan: Afghan President Hamid Karzai called for a "collective struggle against terrorism which threatens the stability of the region. Terrorism is a serious threat against the international community and this evil phenomenon must be fought collectively."[100]
  •  France France: French President Nicolas Sarkozy wrote a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and offered to further strengthen cooperation in the battle against terrorism. He condemned the blasts saying they were "blind, cowardly and inhuman". In his letter he said, "On this occasion, I wish to assure you of the full solidarity of the 27 member-states of the EU and their determination to fight alongside the Indian government to eradicate the scourge of terrorism"[101]
Unions
  •  United Nations: Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned in the "strongest terms" the series of bombings in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad and stressed that no cause or grievance can justify terrorist acts.[102]
  •  European Union: European Union condemned the attack in a statement saying "The Presidency of the Council of European Union presents its deepest condolences to India, its government and its people, as well as to the victims and their families".[100]

Trial and verdict[edit]

The trial merged 35 separated cases as a single case and was heard in a special court of Judge A. R. Patel in Ahmedabad. The trial began in 2009 and lasted for about 13 years. The hearing was concluded in September 2021. On 8 February 2022 the verdict was delivered pronouncing 28 accused acquitted due to lack of acceptable evidence while 49 as convicted.[14] The sentences were provided on 18 February 2022, including 38 death sentences and 11 life imprisonments.[15][103]

List of convicts[104]
# Name Native State Notes
1 Zahid Sheikh Gujarat
2 Imran Sheikh Gujarat
3 Iqbal Sheikh Gujarat
4 Samsuddin Sheikh Gujarat
5 Javed Sheikh Gujarat
6 Asif Sheikh Maharashtra
7 Atique Khiljee Rajasthan
8 Mehdi Ansari Rajasthan
9 Safiq Ansari Madhya Pradesh
10 Rafiuddin Gujarat
11 Arif Mirza Uttar Pradesh
12 Kabumuddin Gujarat
13 Sibyl Muslim Kerala
14 Safdar Nagori Madhya Pradesh
15 Hafiz Mulla Karnataka
16 Sajid Mansoori Gujarat
17 Afzal Usmani Maharashtra
18 Sarfuddin Itti Telangana
19 Md. Sadiq Sheikh Maharashtra
20 Md Arif Sheikh Maharashtra
21 Akbar Chaudhary Maharashtra
22 Fazal Durani Maharashtra
23 Nausad Sayed Gujarat
24 Ahmed Barelvi Gujarat
25 Rafiq Afidi Gujarat
26 Amin Sheik Rajasthan
27 Md. Mobin Khan Uttar Pradesh
28 Md. Ansar Gujarat
29 Gyasuddin Ansari Gujarat
30 Arif Kagzi Gujarat
31 Usmaan Gujarat
32 Yunus Mansoori Gujarat
33 Imran Pathan Rajasthan
34 Abubasar Sheikh Uttar Pradesh
35 Abaas Sameza Gujarat
36 Saifu Ansari Uttar Pradesh
37 Md. Saif Sheikh Uttar Pradesh
38 Zishan Sheikh Uttar Pradesh
39 Jia-ur-Rahman Uttar Pradesh
40 Tanveer Pathan Uttar Pradesh
41 Abraar Maniyar Uttar Pradesh
42 Shaduli Karim Kerala
43 Tausif Pathan Maharashtra
44 Md. Ali Ansari Madhya Pradesh
45 Md. Ismail Gujarat
46 Kamruddin Madhya Pradesh
47 Aleem Kazi Madhya Pradesh
48 Aniq Sayed Maharashtra
49 Md. Shaqil Uttar Pradesh
Number convicts Per States and union territories of India[104]
# States / union territories Convict Count % of convicts
1 Gujarat 18 36.73%
2 Uttar Pradesh 10 20.4%
3 Maharashtra 8 16.32%
4 Madhya Pradesh 5 10.20%
5 Rajasthan 4 8.16%
6 Kerala 2 4.08%
7 Karnataka 1 2.04%
8 Telangana 1 2.04%
Total 49 100%

See also[edit]

External links[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Ahmedabad blasts: Toll rises". NDTV. 26 July 2008. Archived from the original on 29 July 2008. Retrieved 26 July 2008.
  2. ^ "Ahmedabad blasts claim two more victims". The Hindu. 1 August 2008. Archived from the original on 10 August 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2008.
  3. ^ a b c "Gujarat police release three sketches". The Hindu. Kasturi & Sons Ltd. 6 August 2008. Archived from the original on 4 October 2008. Retrieved 6 August 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. ^ a b c "Death toll in Ahmedabad serial blasts rises to 55". Khabrein.info. 1 August 2008. Archived from the original on 4 October 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  5. ^ "India court sentences 38 to death over 2008 Ahmedabad bombings". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  6. ^ a b "Ahmedabad, Bangalore blasts share similarities". NDTV. 26 July 2008. Archived from the original on 30 July 2008. Retrieved 26 July 2008.
  7. ^ a b c "Bangalore, Ahmedabad blasts uncannily similar". CNN-IBN. Global Broadcast News and Turner International. 27 July 2008. Archived from the original on 27 July 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2008.
  8. ^ "Five persons injured in Jharkhand blast". NDTV. 27 July 2008. Archived from the original on 30 July 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2008.
  9. ^ "Islamic Terrorism". 2 August 2008. Archived from the original on 2 August 2008. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  10. ^ "16 blasts in Ahmedabad; 49 dead, 145 injured". India Today Group. Living Media. 27 July 2008. Archived from the original on 3 August 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2008.
  11. ^ a b Das, Rathin; A. Sharan (26 July 2008). "29 killed as 17 blasts rock Ahmedabad". Hindustan Times. HT Media Ltd. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 26 July 2008.
  12. ^ "India blasts toll up to 37". CNN. 27 July 2008. Archived from the original on 2 August 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2008.
  13. ^ a b Abu Bashir behind Ahmedabad blasts: Police
  14. ^ a b Langa, Mahesh (8 February 2022). "49 convicted, 28 acquitted in 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts case". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  15. ^ a b Ellis-Petersen, Hannah (18 February 2022). "Indian court sentences 38 people to death over 2008 bombings". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  16. ^ "Ahmedabad terror toll crosses 45, more bombs found". South Asia Monitor. Contemporary Studies Society. 27 July 2008. Retrieved 4 August 2008.[dead link]
  17. ^ "Indian cities on high alert after blasts". CNN. 27 July 2008. Archived from the original on 29 July 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2008.
  18. ^ "Ahmedabad serial blasts claim 45 lives". NDTV. 28 July 2008. Retrieved 28 July 2008.
  19. ^ "Live bombs defused in Ahmedabad, Surat". Zee News. 27 July 2008. Archived from the original on 27 July 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2008.
  20. ^ "Surat on high alert; 2 cars with explosives found". Rediff.com. 27 July 2008. Archived from the original on 4 August 2008. Retrieved 4 August 2008.
  21. ^ Rosenberg, Matthew (27 July 2008). "Islamic group claims India blasts that killed 45". Yahoo!. Archived from the original on 3 August 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2008.
  22. ^ "Islamic group claims India blasts that killed 45". Boston Herald. Herald Media. 27 July 2008. Archived from the original on 5 August 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2008.
  23. ^ a b c d "Mukesh Ambani in Indian Mujahideen's e-mail". The Times of India. 27 July 2008. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2008.
  24. ^ "Ahmedabad blasts: Lie detector, narco tests on US national Haywood". The Times of India. 13 August 2008. Retrieved 13 August 2008.
  25. ^ "Ahmedabad blasts: PM asks people to maintain communal harmony". Express India. The Indian Express Group. 26 July 2008. Archived from the original on 6 August 2008. Retrieved 26 July 2008.
  26. ^ "It's a war against India: Narendra Modi". The Times of India. 27 July 2008. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2008.
  27. ^ "BJP-ruled states incur wrath of terrorists". The Times of India. 27 July 2008. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2008.
  28. ^ "Centre dispatches bomb experts team to Ahmedabad". Hindustan Times. HT Media Ltd. 26 July 2008. Archived from the original on 13 March 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2008.
  29. ^ "Experts see Wahabis in garb of Indian Mujahideen". The Times of India. 28 July 2008. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 28 July 2008.
  30. ^ "E-mail threat: Police raid Navi Mumbai residence". India Today Group. Living Media. 27 July 2008. Archived from the original on 3 August 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2008.
  31. ^ Ramesh, Randeep (15 May 2008). "Indian Mujahideen claims responsibility for Jaipur blasts". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 26 July 2008.
  32. ^ a b c d I heard the culprit speaking on phone, claims witness Zee News Archived 30 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  33. ^ a b c "Two cars with explosives found in Surat". Archived 30 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
  34. ^ "Police defuse bombs found in Surat". Yahoo!. 29 July 2008. Retrieved 4 August 2008.[dead link]
  35. ^ Shastri, Parth; Ali, S Ahmed (29 July 2008). "Cars started from Mumbai, bombs loaded in Vadodara". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 July 2008.
  36. ^ "Driver of one of the terror cars on CCTV". Archived from the original on 29 June 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
  37. ^ Dayal, Prashant (31 July 2008). "Car used in Ahmedabad Civil Hospital blast moved 6 times between cities". The Times of India. Retrieved 31 July 2008.
  38. ^ "Gujarat police claim their first breakthrough in blast case". Archived from the original on 5 July 2013. Retrieved 4 August 2008.
  39. ^ Desai, Stavan; A. Sharan (28 July 2008). "Ahmedabad blasts: Three masterminds under scanner". Hindustan Times. HT Media Ltd. Archived from the original on 11 January 2009. Retrieved 28 July 2008.
  40. ^ "Serial blasts: Ahmedabad police detains 3 men". Archived from the original on 5 July 2013. Retrieved 29 July 2008.
  41. ^ "IB identifies Pak-based masterminds". Archived from the original on 1 August 2008. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
  42. ^ "Gujarat cops crack serial blasts case". Archived from the original on 20 August 2008. Retrieved 20 August 2008.
  43. ^ "Ahmedabad blasts carried out on the direction of Pak's Amir Raza Khan". The Times of India. 20 November 2008. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2008.
  44. ^ "Ahmedabad blasts: SIMI activist held". Archived from the original on 30 July 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2008.
  45. ^ "More bombs, nation on alert". Archived 11 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  46. ^ "SIMI activist sent to 14-day police custody". Archived from the original on 5 July 2013. Retrieved 28 July 2008.
  47. ^ "Politics/Nation". The Times of India. 24 October 2008. Retrieved 25 October 2008.
  48. ^ "Ahmedabad blasts plotter held in MP". The Times of India. 11 November 2008. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2008.
  49. ^ http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/0/45C2E98CDE8EEB9F6525750000563334?OpenDocument [dead link]
  50. ^ "ATS Guns Down Ahmedabad Terror Suspect, Arrests 1". outlook india. 26 March 2012. Archived from the original on 27 March 2012. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
  51. ^ "2008 Ahmedabad blasts: Accused nabbed from Karnataka". The Indian Express. 20 June 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  52. ^ "Lawyers of Ahmedabad bomb blast accused walk out from Court". gujaratglobal.com. Archived from the original on 11 January 2009.
  53. ^ Court extends custody of 26 blast accused till Oct 31 – Indian Express
  54. ^ http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/0/542B4259CEC82590652574FF0048AB04?OpenDocument [dead link]
  55. ^ "Terror call claims Kerala next on target". Archived from the original on 4 August 2008. Retrieved 28 July 2008.
  56. ^ a b c Another live bomb defused in Surat Times of India Archived 3 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  57. ^ "Ten live bombs found, panic grips Surat city". Archived from the original on 11 January 2009. Retrieved 29 July 2008.
  58. ^ "9 bombs defused in Surat". Archived from the original on 31 July 2008. Retrieved 29 July 2008.
  59. ^ NDTV.com: Surat: 18 bombs found, defused; 3 detained [dead link]
  60. ^ "Live bombs an attempt to distract attention from probe". The Times of India. 29 July 2008. Retrieved 28 July 2008.
  61. ^ 23 bombs defused in Surat, India remains on edge – Newindpress.com[permanent dead link]
  62. ^ "Faulty chips saved Surat". Archived from the original on 11 January 2009. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
  63. ^ "Three bombs defused in Rajasthan". Archived from the original on 4 August 2008. Retrieved 29 July 2008.
  64. ^ a b c "Terror module busted in Tamil Nadu, 1 held". Archived 28 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
  65. ^ Chennai next terror target? Bomb-maker held in Nellai Archived 31 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  66. ^ [Chennai arrests have no links with Ahmedabad, Bangalore blasts: police – Indian Express]
  67. ^ UPDATE 1-Japan closes India visa office, warns over bombings- Reuters
  68. ^ Youth held for sending email threat to Japanese Embassy – Times of India
  69. ^ Terror email to Japanese Embassy a hoax: Police – Sify News
  70. ^ "BJP-ruled states incur wrath of terrorists". The Times of India. 27 July 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2008.
  71. ^ Bangalore, Ahmedabad blasts uncannily similar
  72. ^ "Gujarat Congress blames Modi government for blasts". India eNews. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
  73. ^ Blasts in B'lore, Ahmedabad a conspiracy: BJP[dead link]
  74. ^ Below the Belt – Times of India
  75. ^ BJP distances itself from Sushma remarks, Cong screams ‘treason!’ – The Statesman Archived 14 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  76. ^ Red-faced BJP clears the air, says blasts no conspiracy – Indian Express Archived 14 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  77. ^ Sushma Swaraj makes a point – The Economic Times
  78. ^ http://www.timesnow.tv/Newsdtls.aspx?NewsID=13921 [dead link]
  79. ^ a b "Blasts aimed at destroying social fabric: PM". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
  80. ^ "Toll rises to 45, army conducts flag marches in Ahmedabad". Archived 31 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
  81. ^ Hindustantimes.com : Photos > Pictures, Wallpapers and Calendars from India’s leading portal Archived 12 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  82. ^ "Day in Pics". The Times of India. 28 July 2008. Retrieved 28 July 2008.
  83. ^ NDTV.com: PM praises people of Gujarat for their resilience Archived 2 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  84. ^ "President deplores blasts, asks people to maintain peace". The Hindu. 26 July 2008. p. 1. Archived from the original on 29 July 2008. Retrieved 26 July 2008.
  85. ^ "President, PM condemn blasts". Rediff. 26 July 2008. Archived from the original on 29 July 2008. Retrieved 26 July 2008.
  86. ^ "Vice President condemns serial blasts in Ahmedabad". Outlook India. 26 July 2008. p. 1. Archived from the original on 1 August 2008. Retrieved 26 July 2008.
  87. ^ a b c "Political reactions to Ahmedabad blasts". Archived 7 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 30 July 2008.
  88. ^ Centre 'surprised' over Ahmedabad blasts – Sify.com
  89. ^ "Govt, BJP condemn Ahmedabad blasts". Zee News. 26 July 2008. p. 1. Archived from the original on 30 July 2008. Retrieved 26 July 2008.
  90. ^ 'Lack of tough anti-terror law, weak intelligence cause of blasts' – Hindustan Times[dead link]
  91. ^ "Togadia accuses Govt. of being soft on terrorists". Archived 1 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
  92. ^ "Jayaalithaa demands revival of POTA". Archived 28 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
  93. ^ "Sonia Gandhi condemns Ahmedabad serial blasts". Archived 25 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
  94. ^ "CPM slams serial blasts in Ahmedabad". Sify news. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
  95. ^ South Asia Contact Group Achieve: Re: [SouthAsiaContact] Condemnation of Banglore and Ahmedabad Blasts – Dr. M.K.Sherwani Archived 28 July 2012 at archive.today
  96. ^ The Hindu News Update Service Archived 1 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  97. ^ "Political parties, social organisations condemn blasts". Archived 3 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 2008.
  98. ^ a b US, Pak condemn serial blasts India Today Group Online
  99. ^ NDTV.com: Pak PM condemns Bangalore, Ahmedabad blasts Archived 30 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  100. ^ a b c d Int`l community says terror attacks in India "unacceptable" Zee News Archived 31 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  101. ^ "Sarkozy writes to PM over terror attacks". Archived from the original on 5 July 2013. Retrieved 28 July 2008.
  102. ^ NDTV.com: Ban Ki-moon condemns blasts in India Archived 2 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  103. ^ "India court sentences 38 to death over 2008 bombings". CNA. 18 February 2022. p. 1. Retrieved 18 February 2022.[permanent dead link]
  104. ^ a b "09-02-2022 : Surat ePaper: Read Surat Local Hindi Newspaper Online,Page 1". Dainik Bhaskar (in Hindi). Retrieved 10 February 2022.