View source for 2006 Mumbai train bombings

{{Short description|2006 terrorist attack on the Mumbai Suburban Railway}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox terrorist attack
|title           = 2006 Mumbai train bombings
|image           = Mahim train blast.jpg
|image_size      = 300px
|caption         = One of the bomb-damaged coaches at the [[Mahim]] station
|location        = [[Mumbai]], Maharashtra, India
|target          = [[Western Line (Mumbai Suburban Railway)|Mumbai&nbsp;Western&nbsp;Line]]
|date            = 11 July 2006 
|time-begin      = 18:24
|time-end        = 18:35
|timezone        = [[UTC+05:30]]
|type            = [[Strategic bombing#Terror bombing|Train bombing]]s
|weapons         = [[Pressure cooker bomb]]s 
|fatalities      = 209
|injuries        = Approximately 714
|accused         = Faisal Sheikh, Asif Khan, Kamal Ansari, Ehtesham Sidduqui and Naveed Khan
}}
{{Terrorist attacks in India (since 2001)}}
{{Campaignbox Mumbai terrorism}}
The '''2006 Mumbai train bombings''' were a series of seven [[bomb]] blasts on 11 July. They took place over a period of 11&nbsp;minutes on the [[Mumbai Suburban Railway|Suburban Railway]] in [[Mumbai]], the capital of the [[States and territories of India|Indian state]] of [[Maharashtra]] and the nation's financial capital. The bombs were set off in [[pressure cooker]]s on trains plying on the [[Western Line (Mumbai Suburban Railway)|Western Line Suburban Section]] of the [[Mumbai WR railway division|Mumbai Division]] of [[Western Railway (India)|Western Railway]]. The blasts killed 209 people and injured over 700 more.

== Blasts ==
[[File:11 July 2006 Mumbai bombings - map showing locations.png|thumb|right|190px|Map showing the 'Western line' and blast locations.]]
[[Pressure cooker bomb]]s were placed on trains on the [[Western Line (Mumbai Suburban Railway)|Western Line]] of the suburban ("local") train network, which forms the backbone of the city's transport network. Pressure cookers were used in this bombing and other recent explosions<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=c27a03bd-7c4d-4f1b-a91a-19fbc07def20&ParentID=861d71e8-77e4-4160-b61e-c7a52451d569&&Headline=Gaffar+bomb+was+in+pressure+cooker |title=Gaffar bomb was in pressure cooker |work=Hindustan Times |location=India |date=23 September 2008 |access-date=3 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224235406/http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=c27a03bd-7c4d-4f1b-a91a-19fbc07def20&ParentID=861d71e8-77e4-4160-b61e-c7a52451d569&&Headline=Gaffar+bomb+was+in+pressure+cooker |archive-date=24 December 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://nfttu.blogspot.com/2006/03/pressure-cooker-bombs.html |title=Notes from the Technology Underground: Pressure Cooker Bombs |publisher=Nfttu.blogspot.com |date=14 March 2006 |access-date=3 January 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/India/20080924/1061468.html |title=Suspected pressure cooker bomb found near CM's public meeting venue |publisher=News.webindia123.com |date=24 September 2008 |access-date=3 January 2011}}</ref> to increase the afterburn in a [[thermobaric]] reaction, more powerful than conventional high explosives.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.acfnewsource.org/science/bomb_prevention.html |title=Bomb Prevention |publisher=Acfnewsource.org |date=31 December 2006 |access-date=3 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060927012306/http://www.acfnewsource.org/science/bomb_prevention.html |archive-date=27 September 2006 }}</ref> The first blast reportedly took place at 18:24 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]] (12:54 [[UTC]]), and the explosions continued for approximately eleven minutes, until 18:35,<ref name="cnn">{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/07/11/mumbai.blasts/index.html|title=At least 174 killed in Indian train blasts|publisher=CNN|access-date=11 July 2006|date=10 July 2006| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060711235332/http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/07/11/mumbai.blasts/index.html| archive-date= 11 July 2006 <!--Added by DASHBot-->}}</ref> during the after-work rush hour. All the bombs had been placed in the first-class "general" compartments of several trains running from [[Churchgate]], the city-centre end of the western railway line, to the western suburbs of the city. They exploded at or in the near vicinity of the suburban railway stations of [[Matunga Road]], [[Mahim railway station|Mahim Junction]], [[Bandra railway station|Bandra]], [[Khar Road]], [[Jogeshwari railway station|Jogeshwari]], [[Bhayandar railway station|Bhayandar]] and [[Borivali railway station|Borivali]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5169332.stm|title=Blasts rock Mumbai rail network|publisher=[[BBC News Online|news.bbc.co.uk]]|access-date=11 July 2006|date=10 July 2006| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060713180402/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5169332.stm| archive-date= 13 July 2006 <!--Added by DASHBot-->}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1731631.cms|title=Tuesday terror: Six blasts rock Mumbai railway stations|work=The Times of India|location=India|access-date=11 July 2006|date=10 July 2006|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070125055537/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1731631.cms |archive-date = 25 January 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Minister for Home Affairs (India)|Home Minister]] [[Shivraj Patil]] told reporters that authorities had "some" information an attack was coming, "but place and time was not known".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5169332.stm|title=Scores dead in Mumbai train bombs|publisher=[[BBC News Online|news.bbc.co.uk]]|access-date=11 July 2006|date=10 July 2006| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060713180402/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5169332.stm| archive-date= 13 July 2006 <!--Added by DASHBot-->}}</ref>

The bomb attacks in Mumbai came hours after a series of [[grenade]] attacks in [[Srinagar]], the largest city of Indian UT of [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]]. [[Secretary for Home Affairs (India)|Home Secretary]] [[V K Duggal]] said there was no link between the Srinagar and Mumbai bomb blasts.<ref name="ndtv-8">{{cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/template/template.asp?template=terrorstrikes&slug=Serial+blasts+rock+Mumbai%2C+146+killed&id=19794&callid=0&category=National |title=Serial blasts rock Mumbai, 172 killed |publisher=[[NDTV|ndtv.com]] |access-date=11 July 2006 |date=11 July 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060721154413/http://www.ndtv.com/template/template.asp?template=terrorstrikes&slug=Serial%2Bblasts%2Brock%2BMumbai%2C%2B146%2Bkilled&id=19794&callid=0&category=National |archive-date=21 July 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Injuries and fatalities ==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|+ '''2006 Mumbai train bombings'''<br />Confirmed casualties
|-
! '''Train'''
! '''Blast location'''
! '''Carriage type'''
! abbr="Time" | '''Time''' ([[Indian Standard Time|IST]])
! '''Deaths'''
! '''Injured'''
! '''Sources'''
|-
| Travelling north<br />from [[Churchgate]] || [[Khar Road]] – [[Santacruz (railway station)|Santacruz]]
|| First Class || 18:24 ||9
|  || <small></small>
|-
| 17:50 Fast Local<br />[[Churchgate]]-[[Borivali]] || [[Bandra]] – [[Khar Road]]
|| First Class || 18:24 ||22
|  || <small></small>
|-
| 17:37 Slow Local<br />[[Churchgate]]-[[Borivali]] || [[Jogeshwari]] (PF #1)
|| First Class || 18:25 ||28
|  || <small></small>
|-
| 17:54 Fast Local<br />[[Churchgate]]-[[Borivali]] || [[Mahim|Mahim Junction]] (PF #3)
|| First Class || 18:26 ||43
|  || <small></small>
|-
| Travelling north<br />from [[Churchgate]] || [[Mira Road]] – [[Bhayandar]]
|| First Class || 18:29 ||31
|  || <small></small>
|-
| 17:57 Fast Local<br />[[Churchgate]]-[[Virar]] || [[Matunga Road]] – [[Mahim|Mahim Junction]]
|| First Class || 18:30 ||28
|  || <small></small>
|-
| 17:37 Fast Local<br />[[Churchgate]]-[[Virar]] || [[Borivali]] <sup>1</sup>
|| First Class || 18:35 ||26
|  ||
|-
! style="background: #E9E9E9;" |
| style="background: #E9E9E9;" |
| style="background: #E9E9E9;" | '''Total'''
| style="background: #E9E9E9;" | 11&nbsp;minutes
| style="background: #E9E9E9;" | 209
| style="background: #E9E9E9;" | 714
| style="background: #E9E9E9;" | <small></small><ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/09/30/india.bombs/index.html?section=cnn_world#|title=Death Toll at 209|date=30 September 2006|access-date=30 September 2006|publisher=CNN}}</ref>
|-
|colspan=7|<span style="font-size:90%"><sup>1</sup> One bomb exploded at this location, but another one was found by police and defused.</span><ref name="cnn" /><br />
|}

[[Maharashtra]] Deputy Chief Minister [[R. R. Patil]] confirmed that a total of 200 people were killed and another 714 others have been injured.<ref>{{cite news
 |url        = http://www.ddinews.com/Homepage/Homepage+-+Headlines/Mumbai+Blast+Govt.htm
 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200618142803/https://www.ddinews.com/Homepage/Homepage+-+Headlines/Mumbai+Blast+Govt.htm
 |url-status = dead
 |archive-date = 18 June 2020
 |title      = Multiple blasts rock India trains, killing 200
 |access-date = 11 July 2006
 |date       = 11 July 2006
}}</ref> Additionally, various news organisations have reported that at least 200 people have died and that more than 700 others have been injured.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5173646.stm|title=Death Toll at 200 in India Train Bombings|access-date=11 July 2006|date=11 July 2006 |work=BBC News| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060714180501/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5173646.stm| archive-date= 14 July 2006 <!--Added by DASHBot-->}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/everything-was-blacked-out-mumbai-blast-survivor-1.613416|title='Everything was blacked out': Mumbai blast survivor|access-date=12 July 2006|date=12 July 2006 | work=CBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/07/12/world/main1794814.shtml|work=[[CBS News]]|title=Mumbai Death Toll Tops 200|date=11 July 2006 |access-date=11 July 2006| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060812030710/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/07/12/world/main1794814.shtml| archive-date= 12 August 2006 <!--Added by DASHBot-->}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060711/mumbai_explosions_060712/20060712?hub=TopStories |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060715033422/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060711/mumbai_explosions_060712/20060712?hub=TopStories |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 July 2006 |publisher=[[CTV Television Network|CTV]] |title=Mumbai Terror Death Toll at 200 |date=11 July 2006 |access-date=11 July 2006 }}</ref> A week after the blasts in [[Mumbai]] the confirmed death toll rose to 207.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060718/mumbai_militants_060719/20060719?hub=World|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206080452/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060718/mumbai_militants_060719/20060719?hub=World|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 December 2008|title=Mumbai remembers train bombing victims|publisher=CTV|access-date=24 July 2006|date=21 July 2006}}</ref> In September 2006 it was confirmed that the death toll had risen to 209.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/09/30/india.bombs/index.html?section=cnn_world#|title=Pakistan spy agency behind Mumbai bombings|date=30 September 2006|access-date=30 September 2006|publisher=CNN}}</ref>

== Response ==
{{2006 Mumbai bombings}}
A state of high alert was declared in India's major cities. Both the airports in Mumbai were placed on high alert. The western line of the [[Mumbai Suburban Railway]] network was at first shut down, although some trains resumed service later, and stringent security arrangements, including frisking and searching of commuters, were instituted on the other lines of the network. The city's bus service, the [[Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport|BEST]], pressed extra buses into service to transport stranded commuters home.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a_Y4F.tdGUFc&refer=home|title=India's Commercial Hub Mumbai Rocked by 5 Explosions|publisher=[[Bloomberg L.P.|bloomberg.com]]|access-date=11 July 2006|date=11 July 2006| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060721100532/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a_Y4F.tdGUFc&refer=home| archive-date= 21 July 2006 <!--Added by DASHBot-->}}</ref>

The Prime Minister also held a security meeting at his residence attended by [[Minister for Home Affairs (India)|Home Minister]] [[Shivraj Patil]], [[National Security Advisor (India)|National Security Advisor]] [[M K Narayanan]], and [[Secretary for Home Affairs (India)|Home Secretary]] [[V K Duggal]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/breakingnews/frmShowBackground.asp?q_id=46|title=PM reviews security situation after blasts|publisher=[[NDTV]]|access-date=12 July 2006|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060720045635/http://www.ndtv.com/breakingnews/frmShowBackground.asp?q_id=46 |archive-date = 20 July 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Resumption of services and return to normality ===
Western Railway services were restored on 11 July by 10.45&nbsp;pm.<ref name="Trains back on track on 12 July">{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/13/stories/2006071308100100.htm|title=Mumbai back on track|access-date=13 July 2006|location=Chennai, India|date=13 July 2006|url-status=dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060721095149/http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/13/stories/2006071308100100.htm|work=[[The Hindu]]| archive-date= 21 July 2006 <!--Added by DASHBot-->}}</ref> As a show of investor confidence, the [[Bombay Stock Exchange]] rebounded, starting the day with the BSE Sensex Index up by nearly 1% in morning trade. Foreign investors also retained confidence, with the Sensex up almost 3% at 10,930.09 at the end of the day's trade.

=== Rescue and relief operations ===
[[File:Rescue efforts.jpg|200px|thumb|Railway workers cutting a damaged part of the bomb-damaged coaches]]
* Initial rescue efforts were hampered by the heavy rains and the prevalent [[monsoon]] flooding, but quickly took momentum after fellow passengers and bystanders helped victims to reach waiting ambulances and/or provided first aid.
* [[Maharashtra]] [[Chief Minister of Maharashtra|Chief Minister]] [[Vilasrao Deshmukh]] announced [[ex gratia|ex-gratia]] payments of [[Indian rupee|Rs]]&nbsp;100,000 <!-- before changing this, please read the article on [[lakh]]s -->(approximately US $2,200) to the next of kin of those who died in the explosion. The injured would be given Rs&nbsp;50,000 (approximately US $1,100) each.<ref name="ndtv-8" />
* [[Indian Railways]] announced [[Indian rupee|Rs]]&nbsp;500,000 <!-- before changing this, please read the article on [[lakh]]s -->(approximately US $10,000) compensation and a job to the next of kin of those killed in the serial blasts in Mumbai. The announcements were made by [[Railways Minister (India)|Railways Minister]] [[Lalu Prasad Yadav]] after visiting those injured in the blasts at a hospital in Mumbai.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200607120312.htm |date=12 July 2006 |access-date=12 July 2006 |work=The Hindu |title=Lalu offers Rs. 5 lakh, railway job to kin of dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060717103052/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200607120312.htm |archive-date = 17 July 2006 |location=Chennai, India}}</ref>

However a study commissioned by former MP [[Kirit Somaiya]] noted that only 174 of the 1,077 victims had received compensation through the Railway Claims Tribunal. For the handicapped victims, only 15 out of 235 eligible cases had been taken care of. Regarding the [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]]'s promise to India concerning the rehabilitation of the victims, [[L. K. Advani]] noted that "none of the above mentioned assurances has been fulfilled to any degree of satisfaction"<ref>[http://www.dailypioneer.com/indexn12.asp?main_variable=NATION&file_name=nt4%2Etxt&counter_img=4 Families of 7/11 victims still waiting for Govt relief: Advani], ''The Pioneer'', 13 June 2007   {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060906040439/http://www.dailypioneer.com/indexn12.asp?main_variable=NATION&file_name=nt4.txt&counter_img=4 |date=6 September 2006 }}</ref>

=== Sources of information ===
Due to the mobile phone networks being jammed, news channels ran tickertapes with information of injured individuals as well as [[Short message service|SMS]] messages from those who wished to contact their families.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/mumbaiblasts/|title=Mumbai Blasts|work=[[NDTV]]|access-date=11 July 2006|date=11 July 2006|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060720100714/http://www.ndtv.com/mumbaiblasts/ |archive-date = 20 July 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref> Reports indicated that at around 18:00 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]] on 11 July (11:30 PM in Mumbai), the phone networks were restoring service; telephone service was completely restored during the night.

Mumbai Help, a blog run by around thirty bloggers, was a useful source of information, especially for those outside India.{{Citation needed|date=November 2008}}

== Investigation ==
{{Main|Mumbai serial train blasts investigations}}

Some 350 people were detained 36 hours after the incident in Maharashtra&nbsp;— police claim that these are people rounded up for investigations.<ref name="350 rounded in Maha">{{cite web |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060714/main1.htm|title=350 rounded up in Maharashtra|work=The Tribune |location=India|access-date=14 July 2006| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060717032627/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060714/main1.htm| archive-date= 17 July 2006 <!--Added by DASHBot-->}}</ref> On 14 July, [[Lashkar-e-Qahhar]], a terrorist organisation possibly linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the bombings. In an e-mail to an Indian TV channel, the outfit says it organised the bombings using 16 people who are all "safe". According to the e-mail, the main motive seems to have been a retaliation to the situation in the [[Gujarat]] and [[Kashmir]] regions, possibly referring to the alleged oppression of Muslim minorities in certain parts of the region. It also says that the blasts were part of a series of attacks aimed at other sites such as the Mumbai international airport, [[Gateway of India]], the [[Taj Mahal]] in [[Agra]] and the [[Red Fort]] in New Delhi. The authorities are investigating this claim and are trying to track the location of the e-mail sender.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130201095016/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-07-16/india/27822270_1_vile-parle-station-blasts-suburban-trains]<> {{cite web |url=http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=71039|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729235604/http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=71039|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 July 2012|title= uncertainty grips 'LeT involvement'|work=The Indian Express  |location=India|access-date=14 July 2006}}</ref> However, on 17 July, the forensic science laboratory Mumbai has confirmed the use of a mixture of the highly explosive [[RDX]] and [[Ammonium Nitrate]] for the bombings. The presence of these explosives in the post explosive debris was confirmed by modern techniques such as Liquid [[Chromatography]] with mass detector (LCMS), Gas Chromatography with mass detector (GCMS) and Ion Scan Chromatography. They have indicated a strong possibility of all explosives being planted at the [[Churchgate]] railway station, which was the starting point for all affected trains.<ref>[http://www.ndtv.com/template/template.asp?template=Mumbaiblasts&slug=RDX+used+in+Mumbai+blasts%3A+ATS&id=19841&callid=0&category=National NDTV.com: Latest News, e-Bulletins, Stocks, Bollywood, Cricket, Video, Blogs, RSS from India]   {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060719084929/http://www.ndtv.com/template/template.asp?template=Mumbaiblasts&slug=RDX%20used%20in%20Mumbai%20blasts%3A%20ATS&id=19841&callid=0&category=National |date=19 July 2006 }}</ref>

Initially, religious extremists from the Lashkar-e-Taiba and the banned Students Islamic Movement of India terrorist groups, and Pakistan's intelligence agency [[Inter-Services Intelligence|ISI]] were the prime suspects.<ref>{{cite news|author =TNN |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-07-12/india/27810883_1_simi-hand-students-islamic-movement-blasts |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211155915/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-07-12/india/27810883_1_simi-hand-students-islamic-movement-blasts |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 February 2012 |title="LeT, SIMI hand in Mumbai blasts" ''Times of India'' |date=12 July 2006 |work =[[The Times of India]] |access-date=3 January 2011}}</ref><ref name="Prime suspects">{{cite web |url=http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=71060|title=Manmohan warns Pak: Stop terror|work=The Indian Express  |location=India|access-date=14 July 2006| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060717013335/http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=71060| archive-date= 17 July 2006 <!--Added by DASHBot-->}}</ref> Both Lashkar and SIMI denied responsibility for the bombings.<ref name="LeT_SIMI_denial">{{cite news|title = Police raids seek Mumbai bombers |publisher=BBC| date =  12 July 2006| access-date =12 July 2006 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5171864.stm| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060714192652/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5171864.stm| archive-date= 14 July 2006 <!--Added by DASHBot-->}}</ref><ref name="SIMI_involvement">{{cite news|title = SIMI involved in Mumbai blasts: Home Ministry| publisher = ndtv.com| date =  12 July 2006| access-date =12 July 2006 | url = http://www.ndtv.com/breakingnews/default.asp?refno=713200615111AM|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070926225827/http://www.ndtv.com/breakingnews/default.asp?refno=713200615111AM |archive-date = 26 September 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> There was also evidence about the involvement of the international Islamic terrorist group [[Al-Qaeda]] following a phone call from a man claiming to be a spokesperson for the group on 13 July. The alleged al-Qaeda spokesman had said the blasts were a "consequence of Indian oppression and suppression of minorities, particularly Muslims."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-india-bombings-al-qaida,1,3707132.story?ctrack=1&cset=true |title=al-Qaeda spokesman says blasts are a "consequence of Indian oppression" }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

On 30 September 2006, [[CNN]] reported that "The Indian government accused Pakistan's military spy agency, the [[Inter-Services Intelligence]], of planning 11 July Mumbai train bombings that killed 209 people".<ref name=autogenerated1 />

The New York City Police Department was intensely concerned about the attacks, citing their simplicity and lethality. To address these worries, the department deployed [[Brandon del Pozo]], a Jordanian-based intelligence officer, to Mumbai to collect information on the attacks and report on ways they reflected similar vulnerabilities in the New York City's extensive commuter rail system.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/Mumbai-terror-makes-NYPD-Blue/articleshow/1785453.cms|title = Mumbai terror makes NYPD Blue - Times of India}}</ref>

=== Arrests ===
On 21 July 2006, police arrested three people suspected to be involved in the bombings.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5201922.stm|title=First arrests in Mumbai bombings|work=BBC News|date=21 July 2006|access-date=12 September 2006}}</ref> Police have detained more than 300 suspects since 18 July but these are the first arrests in the case.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/21/world/21india.ready.html?ei=5070&en=725547a27b8524c9&ex=1158292800&pagewanted=print|title=3 Arrested in Mumbai Train Bombings|author =Kumar, Hari|date=21 July 2006|access-date=13 September 2006|work=The New York Times}}</ref> Two of the men were detained on Thursday in the northern state of [[Bihar]] and the third later in Mumbai.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://today.reuters.co.uk/misc/PrinterFriendlyPopup.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2006-07-21T111820Z_01_DEL294072_RTRUKOC_0_UK-INDIA-BLASTS.xml|title=Police make arrests in Mumbai blasts|date=21 July 2006|access-date=13 September 2006|publisher=Reuters}}{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/07/21/news/india.php|title=Police arrest 4 suspects in Mumbai train attacks|date=21 July 2006|access-date=13 September 2006|author =Gentleman, Amelia|work=International Herald Tribune}}</ref> All three are said to belong to the banned SIMI organisation.

On the same day, [[Abdul Karim Tunda]] was thought to be arrested in [[Mombasa]], Kenya on suspicions of involvement in the train bombings.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200607/s1693776.htm|title=Man arrested in Kenya over Mumbai bombings|date=22 July 2006|access-date=13 September 2006|work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071209093444/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200607/s1693776.htm |archive-date = 9 December 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> but it was the wrong person. He was one of India's most wanted men and also a suspected organiser for the banned terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-07-22/india/27798281_1_abdul-karim-tunda-delhi-bomber-low-intensity-blasts|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018060725/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-07-22/india/27798281_1_abdul-karim-tunda-delhi-bomber-low-intensity-blasts|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 October 2012|title=Delhi bomber arrested in Kenya|date=22 July 2006|access-date=13 September 2006|work=[[The Times of India]]|location=India}}</ref> He was arrested in 2013 near the Nepal border.

In late 2006, all the seven key accused in the Mumbai train blasts in July retracted their alleged confession to the police, saying they were illegally forced to sign blank papers, an Indian TV channel reported.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6037055.stm |work=BBC News | title=Bomb suspects retract confessions | date=10 October 2006 | access-date=18 April 2010 | first=Zubair | last=Ahmed}}</ref>

=== Continuing investigation ===
{{more citations needed|section=yes|date=December 2017}}
M K Narayanan, the Indian National Security Advisor, has said that India doesn't have "clinching" evidence of the involvement of ISI in the Mumbai train blasts of 11 July.{{citation needed|date=November 2015}}

"I would hesitate to say we have clinching evidence but we have pretty good evidence," he was quoted as saying on CNN-IBN.

Following Narayanan's remarks, the Union Home Secretary V.K. Duggal on Monday characterised the evidence as "very good [...] it is fairly solid evidence,".
5
On 25 September 2008, Hindustan Times reported that "the Crime branch also learnt that the men [behind [[2008 Delhi bombings]]] are those very operatives who had introduced themselves as Pakistanis to perpetrators of 11 July 2006 Mumbai train bombings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/FullcoverageStoryPage.aspx?sectionName=&id=861d71e8-77e4-4160-b61e-c7a52451d569TerrorStrikesDelhi_Special&&Headline=Five+suspects+nabbed+for+serial+blasts |title=Police claim to have arrested 5 key members of IM |date=25 September 2008 |work=Hindustan Times |location=India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005183537/http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/FullcoverageStoryPage.aspx?sectionName=&id=861d71e8-77e4-4160-b61e-c7a52451d569TerrorStrikesDelhi_Special&&Headline=Five%2Bsuspects%2Bnabbed%2Bfor%2Bserial%2Bblasts |archive-date=5 October 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Involvement of Indian Mujahideen ===

On 27 February 2009, Sadiq Sheikh, an arrested leader of the [[Indian Mujahideen]] confessed to his alleged role in the bombings in a news channel broadcast.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-02-28/india/28057347_1_ats-train-bombings-im-module|title=Involvement of Sadiq Sheikh |date=27 February 2009 |location=India|first1=Mateen|last1=Hafeez| access-date=28 February 2009 <!--Added by DASHBot-->| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090303145945/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/711-IM-mans-confession-embarrasses-ATS/articleshow/4201005.cms|work=[[The Times of India]]| archive-date= 3 March 2009 <!--Added by DASHBot-->}}</ref> He claimed to have engineered the pressure cooker bombs with his associates in a flat in central Mumbai. If verified, these allegations could invalidate the previous claims by the ATS that the ISI or the SIMI were involved. Sadiq states in his confession, ‘'All five of us arranged local first class train passes beforehand. We also had the local train time table with us so that we could choose a train as per our convenience. We purchased bags and pressure cookers in Bombay.'’ He also claimed to have misled investigators by blaming the attacks on the [[Al-Qaeda]].
On 6 April 2013, IM co-founder Sadiq Sheikh declared hostile witness by defence advocates.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130526102600/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/im-cofounder-sadiq-sheikh-declared-hostile-witness/383481-3-237.html 2006 train blast case: IM co-founder Sadiq Sheikh declared hostile witness]. Ibnlive.in.com (6 April 2013). Retrieved on 17 August 2013.</ref>

===Convictions===
In September 2015, 12 people were convicted in this case.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mumbai blasts 2006: India court finds 12 men guilty|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-34218396|website=BBC News|access-date=27 February 2017|date=11 September 2015}}</ref> On 30 September 2015, a special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court sentenced to death Faisal Sheikh, Asif Khan, Kamal Ansari, Ehtesham Sidduqui and Naveed Khan who planted the bombs in various trains.<ref>{{cite news|title=2006 Mumbai blast case: 5 sentenced to death, 7 get life term|url=http://news.biharprabha.com/2015/09/2006-mumbai-blast-case-5-sentenced-to-death-7-get-life-term/|access-date=30 September 2015|agency=ANI|publisher=news.biharprabha.com|date=30 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mumbai train blasts: Death for five for 2006 bombings|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-34398810|website=BBC News|access-date=27 February 2017|date=30 September 2015}}</ref>

The other seven convicts—Mohammed Sajid Ansari, who prepared the electrical circuits for the bombs, Mohammed Ali, who provided his Govandi residence to make the bombs, Dr Tanveer Ansari, one of the conspirators, and Majid Shafi, Muzzammil Shaikh, Sohail Shaikh and Zamir Shaikh who provided logistical support – were sentenced to life.<ref name=NajarConvictions>{{cite news|last1=Najar|first1=Nida|title=Indian Court Convicts 12 in 2006 Bombings of Mumbai Trains|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/12/world/asia/indian-court-convicts-12-in-2006-bombings-of-mumbai-trains.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=second-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0|access-date=12 September 2015|work=The New York Times|date=11 September 2015}}</ref>

== Impact ==

=== Heightened security measures ===

In wake of the blasts, the Indian government tightened security in railway stations. Under new restrictions passed by the [[Ministry of Railways (India)|Ministry of Railways]], non-passengers would no longer be allowed on the railway platforms after July 2006. Other major security steps include installation of close circuit televisions inside the stations for round-the-clock vigil and installation of metal detectors.<ref name="Heightened security">{{cite web|url=http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=71737 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130122145352/http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=71737 |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 January 2013 |title=Say your goodbyes outside the rly station: Laloo |work=The Indian Express |location=India |access-date=29 July 2006 }}</ref>

=== Statements in response ===
{{More citations needed|date=August 2010}}
{{Main|Statements in response to the 11 July 2006 Mumbai train bombings}}
Various senior political figures from India and around the world condemned the attacks. In India, [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] Dr. Manmohan Singh was quick to call for calm in Mumbai, while [[President of India|President]] [[Abdul Kalam|Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam]], [[Ministry of Railways (India)|Railways Minister]] [[Lalu Prasad Yadav]], and president of the [[Indian National Congress]] [[Sonia Gandhi]] also issued statements regarding the bombings in Mumbai. Officials from other nations offered their condolences to those affected by the bombings.  Officials, from [[Pakistan]] which has long feuded with India, and the United Kingdom, which was the target of [[7 July 2005 London bombings|similar attacks]] the previous July, were among those who denounced the attacks in Mumbai as well as terrorism as a whole. 

=== Memorial service ===
A memorial service was held in Mumbai on 18 July at 6:25&nbsp;pm local time<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,19844825-663,00.html|title = Herald Sun &#124; Breaking News and Headlines from Melbourne and Victoria &#124; Herald Sun}}</ref>— exactly one week after the blasts. [[President of India|President]] [[Abdul Kalam]], his hand raised to his forehead in salute, led the two-minute silence as people lit candles and placed wreaths at Mahim station, one of the seven places on the suburban rail network hit by bombs. Sirens sounded across Mumbai marking the memorial service.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5188450.stm|title = Indian tribute to Mumbai victims|date = 18 July 2006}}</ref> People gathered at the site of the blasts, in railway stations on the city's Western Line, traffic came to a halt, It interrupted films and observed a moment of silence to pay homage to the victims.{{Citation needed|date=May 2011}}

==In popular culture==
*''Savita Bano'', a 2006 Indian [[Marathi language|Marathi]]-language film by Ramesh More followed a woman's search for her husband after the blasts.<ref>{{cite web |title=Savita Bano - 2006 - Rights |url=http://www.ultraindia.com/film-details/1143-savita-bano |website=Ultra Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd. |language=en}}</ref> 
*The incidents that followed the bombings were used as details in the plot of the film, ''[[A Wednesday!]]'' (2008) starring [[Naseeruddin Shah]], which was inspired by the train bombings.<ref>{{cite news|title=Neeraj Pandey taking it easy after A Wednesday |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Neeraj-Pandey-taking-it-easy-after-A-Wednesday/Article1-340390.aspx |work=Hindustan Times |location=India |date=25 September 2008 |access-date=28 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110209080521/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Neeraj-Pandey-taking-it-easy-after-A-Wednesday/Article1-340390.aspx |archive-date=9 February 2011}}</ref> 
*The Hindi film ''[[Mumbai Meri Jaan]]'' (2008), which won multiple [[Filmfare Awards]], deals with the aftermath of the Mumbai train bombings.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Terror-inspires-Bollywood-again/333408/ |title=Terror inspires Bollywood again |date=9 July 2008 |access-date=15 November 2009 |work=The Indian Express |location=India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322141023/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Terror-inspires-Bollywood-again/333408/ |archive-date=22 March 2009 }}</ref>
*The movie ''[[The Train (2011 film)|The Train]]'' is a 2011 Malayalam thriller based on the bombings.

== See also ==
* [[Mumbai serial train blasts investigations]]- The official police investigations into the blasts.
* [[1993 Mumbai bombings]]: another series of bombings that occurred in [[Mumbai]]
* [[2003 Mumbai train bombing]] in [[Mulund]] – [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2848123.stm Mulund Blasts – BBC]
* [[13 July 2011 Mumbai bombings]]
* [[List of terrorist incidents involving railway systems]]
* [[Islamic Terrorism]]
* [[2004 Madrid train bombings]]: similar precedent
* [[7 July 2005 London bombings]]: a similar series of bombings involving a transport system
* [[29 October 2005 Delhi bombings]]:  a series of three blasts in crowded markets in [[Delhi]], two days before the [[Hindu]] festival [[Diwali]]
* [[7 March 2006 Varanasi bombings]]: a series of similar blasts
* [[2006 Jama Masjid explosions]]: two explosions outside the [[Jama Masjid, Delhi|Jama Masjid]] mosque in [[Delhi]] in April 2006
* [[2007 Samjhauta Express bombings]]
* [[Najibullah Zazi]]; 2009 attempt to bomb the New York City subway system
* [[2010 Moscow Metro bombings]]
* [[Boston Marathon bombing]]; bombing using similar explosives

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|11 July 2006 Mumbai train bombings}}
* [http://www.indianexpress.com/news/unraveling-the-truth-behind-711-mumbai-train-blasts-probe/1119160/ Unraveling the truth behind 7/11 Mumbai train blasts probe]
* [https://archive.today/20130123065039/http://www.flickr.com/photos/king-o-convenience/sets/72157594195929672/ Flickr photo compilation by Mumbai resident and writer Jeffrey Rufus] See also publication mention in the India Times.
* [http://in.rediff.com/news/2006/jul/12guest1.htm Editorial documentation by Mumbai resident and writer Jeffrey Rufus]
* [http://www.mumbaipolice.org/archives_report/blast/blast.htm  Mumbai Police Helpline]
* [http://mumbaihelp.blogspot.com Mumbai Help Blog – Surviving Mumbai&nbsp;– Information for emergencies in the Bombay area]
* [http://konkanicatholics.blogspot.com/2006/07/catholic-casualties-in-mumbai-blasts.html Catholic Casualties in Mumbai Blasts 7/11]
* [http://mumbai.metblogs.com/ Coverage of event, including help links and first hand accounting on Metroblogging Mumbai]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061103015559/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200607112111.htm Statement issued by PM Manmohan Singh]
* {{in lang|es}} [http://www.20minutos.es/galeria/1326/0/0/bombay/bombas/trenes/ Images of disaster] at ''[[20 minutos]]''
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/5170140.stm Images of Mumbai after the explosions] at ''[[BBC News]]''
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5170230.stm Mumbai's valued railway lifeline]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070312100359/http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14247070 Militant arrested; 2.05&nbsp;kg RDX, Rs 49 lakh seized]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121018060743/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-07-29/mumbai/27183399_1_bomb-blast-railway-station-crude-bomb Chronology of Mumbai blasts since December 2002]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060717185429/http://saja.org/resources/mumbaiblasts.html Mumbai Blasts 2006 Resources (South Asian Journalists Association)]

{{US War on Terror}}
{{Mumbai topics}}
{{2006 railway accidents}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mumbai Train Bombings, 2006}}

{{#seo:
|keywords=2006 murders in Asia, 2000s murders in India, 2010s trials, 21st-century mass murder in India, Improvised explosive device bombings in 2006, Islamic terrorism in India, Islamic terrorist incidents in 2006, July 2006 crimes, July 2006 events in Asia, Manmohan Singh administration, Mass murder in 2006, Murder trials, Plots and attacks using pressure cooker bombs, Railway accidents in 2006, Terrorist incidents in India in 2006, Train bombings in Asia, Trials in India
|description=
}}

[[Category:2006 murders in Asia]]
[[Category:2000s in Mumbai|2006 train bombings]]
[[Category:2000s murders in India]]
[[Category:2010s trials]]
[[Category:21st-century mass murder in India]]
[[Category:Improvised explosive device bombings in 2006]]
[[Category:Improvised explosive device bombings in Mumbai|2006 train]]
[[Category:Islamic terrorism in India]]
[[Category:Islamic terrorist incidents in 2006]]
[[Category:July 2006 crimes]]
[[Category:July 2006 events in Asia]]
[[Category:Manmohan Singh administration]]
[[Category:Mass murder in 2006]]
[[Category:Mass murder in Mumbai|2006 train bombings]]
[[Category:Mumbai Suburban Railway|2006 train bombings]]
[[Category:Murder trials]]
[[Category:Plots and attacks using pressure cooker bombs]]
[[Category:Railway accidents in 2006]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents in India in 2006]]
[[Category:Train bombings in Asia]]
[[Category:Trials in India]]