Attack on Humanity - Mumbai 7/11 blasts

It was the 11th of July, 2006, exactly a year ago. Jam-packed local trains, the lifeline of Mumbai, were buzzing like any other day. The passengers travelling on the fateful train had no way of knowing that destiny had conspired against them.

Roshan Kumar

It was the 11th of July, 2006, exactly a year ago. Jam-packed local trains, the lifeline of Mumbai, were buzzing like any other day. Chaos persisted at the railway station as the day drew to an end. People hurried to get back home hoping to catch some rest after their hectic chores. It was a struggle to board the crowded trains but the thought of reaching sweet home was enough to encourage a last push. The passengers travelling on the fateful train had no way of knowing that destiny had conspired against them. The rhythmic humming of the train and the constant chatter of the passengers were over-shadowed by cries of pain and shock when a loud explosion was heard. Before people realised what had happened, blood and body parts lay scattered everywhere. The terrorists had it all planned. Seven blasts took place in seven different local trains. The first blast reportedly occurred at 16:24 and the final one at 16:35. The time was chosen as this was the rush hour- perfect for maximum damage. Pressure cookers with 2.5 kgs of RDX each were used for the blasts. The explosions took place within an interval of eleven minutes but it left behind a memory so dreadful, the wounds would not heal for a long time to come. This time Mumbai was not drowned in water but in blood. The loss of life was great. 209 people died and over 700 were injured. Families lost their beloved ones. The survivors were condemned to a living death as many were handicapped for the rest of their lives. The compensation provided by the government could never compensate for the great loss. The blasts united the Mumbaikars like never before. People rushed to the scene and put the injured into rickshaws and taxis to get to the nearest hospitals. Long queues were seen outside blood-donation camps. Mumbaikars put up a bold face at the time of this crisis and didn’t panic at all. People helped one another irrespective of the fact that they were complete strangers, not belonging to the same religion, or caste. Rickshaw-pullers, taxi drivers and the laymen- all came together to help the stranded passengers as the train services were halted. People came out of their houses onto the streets to offer food and water. At this tragic hour, the Mumbaikars stood united for a common cause. This is the same city that was given the tag of the ‘rudest city in the world’ by a Reader’s Digest survey! The Mumbai Police initially maintained that the bombings were masterminded by the banned SIMI and carried out by the LeT with the support of Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI. In the latest development, Interpol has issued a red corner notice against Rahi Abdul Rahman Sheikh, identified as the mastermind of the conspiracy. He was assisted by Zulfikar Fayyaz Qazi and Zabiuddin Ansari. Rahil and the others are believed to be key figures in Lakshar cells operating in out of few major Indian cities. Rahil is a resident of Mumbai’s Grant Road area and he was responsible in maintaining co-ordination and handling communication between these cells and Pakistan based Lashkar-e-Taiba chief of operations in India, Azam Cheema- the man who oversaw the serial blasts. In a major breakthrough, the Anti Terror Squad arrested 13 suspects who were charge-sheeted in November, 2006. Four alleged bombers are among them. The suspects will be put on trial later this month. However, the men who masterminded the terror attacks are still at large. Despite the setbacks, Mumbai refuses to bow down. The same rush, the same chaos persists. There is something pounding at the back of the mind but it never shows. The stride quickens and yesterday becomes a memory. Showing the greatest confidence in itself, Mumbai declared no official holiday after the blasts. Life went on normally as schools, colleges, and offices remained open. That’s ‘amchi Mumbai’ for you! However, the families of those who died are still struggling to come to terms with the loss. The victims are facing yet another jolt of humanity as they keep running from pillar to post to get their due compensation. Major attacks in India since 2001 Oct. 1, 2001 - Militants storm the Jammu and Kashmir state assembly complex, killing about 36. Dec. 13, 2001 - Terrorists attack Indian Parliament, killing 12 people including six policemen. All five terrorists were also killed. Sep. 24, 2002 - Militants with guns and explosives attack the Akshardham temple in Gujarat, killing 31 people and wounding more than 80. May 14, 2003 - Militants attack an army camp near Jammu, killing more than 30, including several wives and children of soldiers. Mar. 13, 2003 - A bomb attack on a commuter train in Mumbai kills 11. Aug. 25, 2003 - Two almost simultaneous car bombs kill about 60 in Mumbai. Aug. 15, 2004 - Bomb explodes in Assam, killing 16 people, mostly school children, and wounding dozens. Oct. 29, 2005 - Sixty-six people are killed when three blasts tear through markets in New Delhi. Mar. 07, 2006 - At least 20 people are killed and 60 wounded in three explosions in Varanasi. July 11, 2006 - More than 200 people are killed in seven bomb explosions at rail stations and on trains in Mumbai. Sep. 08, 2006 – 31 people are killed and over 100 injured in two bomb blasts in Malegaon, Maharashtra.