Mumbai, Aug 25: In a chilling reminder of the 1993 serial blasts, 45 people were killed and over 150 injured when a "jehadi" group set off two powerful car bomb explosions in crowded localities of this financial hub within a gap of five minutes. Though no outfit has claimed the responsibility for explosions near Mumbadevi Temple and the Gateway of India, intelligence sources suspected it was the handiwork of LeT and Simi with the gang of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim providing logistic support.
The bombs hidden in the boot of two taxis went off in five minutes interval first near Mumbadevi at 1:00 pm followed by a similar explosion in the parking lot of Gateway of India in the heart of the city during the lunch hour rush, triggering tension in the metropolis.
Immediately after the explosions, the sixth since last December, security forces in Maharashtra, neighbouring Gujarat and several other states were put on high alert. Mumbai Police Commissioner R S Sharma said the driver of the taxi which was used to carry out the blast at the Gateway of India along with a few others has been picked up for questioning.
Without naming any militant outfit, he said police have zeroed in on a `jehadi` group which might have triggered the blasts.
A team of Army and National Security Guards would be arriving here tomorrow to help Mumbai Police in identifying the material used in the explosions.
Eye-witness accounts said the powerful blast at Gateway of India shattered the glass panes of Taj Mahal Hotel and Anushakti Bhavan, housing the office of Department of Atomic Energy, located nearby. Maharashtra Health Minister Digvijay Singh said 28 bodies were brought to J J Hospital, 14 in St George`s and three in G T Hospital.
About 85 people were admitted with serious injuries in J J Hospital, 38 in G T and 28 in St George`s.
J J Hospital witnessed a gory sight with mutilated bodies and blood splattered all around. The seriously injured were admitted with splinters all over their bodies.
City Police Commissioner R S Sharma said the explosions appeared to be the handiwork of terrorists but so far no one has claimed responsibility for the blasts.












Bureau Report