View source for 2008 Bangalore serial blasts

{{Use British English|date=January 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}

{{Infobox civilian attack
| title      = 2008 Bangalore serial blasts
| image      =
| caption    =
| location   = [[Bangalore]], [[Karnataka]], India
| coordinates =
| date       = 25 July 2008
| time       =
| timezone   =
| type       = [[Bombing]]s
| fatalities = 1
| injuries   = 20
| perps      =
| perp       =
| susperps   =
| susperp    =
| weapons    =
}}
{{Terrorist attacks in India (since 2001)}}
'''2008 Bangalore serial blasts''' occurred on 25 July 2008 in [[Bangalore]], India. A series of nine bombs exploded in which one person was killed and 20 injured.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/nine-blasts-rock-bangalore-two-killed/69540-3.html |title=Nine blasts rock Bangalore &#124; Chaos and {{sic|nolink=y|curiousity}} |date=25 July 2008 |publisher=IBN Live |access-date=3 August 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080805034238/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/nine-blasts-rock-bangalore-two-killed/69540-3.html |archive-date=5 August 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ToI_6_blasts">[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/8-blasts-rock-Bangalore/articleshow/3279730.cms?referral=PM 8 blasts rock Bangalore]</ref><ref name="rediff_7_blasts"/> According to the [[Bangalore City Police]], the blasts were caused by low-intensity crude bombs triggered by timers.<ref name="ToI_6_blasts"/>

India already suffered from a similar [[13 May 2008 Jaipur bombings|series of blasts in Jaipur]], in May 2008.

''[[The Times of India]]'' has reported that either the banned organisation [[Students Islamic Movement of India]] or the militant organisation [[Lashkar-e-Toiba]] could be behind these blasts.<ref name="SIMI, LeT may be behind Bangalore blasts: IB ">{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-25/india/27920373_1_bangalore-blasts-serial-blasts-simi|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021103046/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-25/india/27920373_1_bangalore-blasts-serial-blasts-simi|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 October 2012|title=SIMI, LeT may be behind Bangalore blasts: IB |date=25 July 2008|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=25 July 2008}}</ref> The [[Intelligence Bureau (India)|Intelligence Bureau]] is not ruling out the involvement of these organisations, however the police maintain that it is too early to attribute blame to anyone.<ref name="rediff_7_blasts"/>

The bombings were followed by the [[2008 Ahmedabad bombings]] one day later.

== The bombings ==
It was initially reported that three blasts took place at around 1:30&nbsp;pm [[Indian Standard Time|IST]].<ref>[http://www.ibnlive.com/ IBNLive.com]. 25 July 2008. 2:55&nbsp;pm IST.</ref><ref name="IBNLive_video_260">[http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/streaming-260.html IBN Live]</ref> Later reports indicated that four low-intensity blasts occurred: One at Nayandahalli (1:30 PM IST), two in [[Madiwala]] (at 1:50&nbsp;pm IST), and the last in [[Adugodi]] (2:10&nbsp;pm). Other blasts were reported from areas including the [[Vittal Mallya|Mallya]] hospital, Langford Road and Richmond Circle.<ref name="rediff_7_blasts"/> The Madiwala blast took place at a check post, behind [[The Forum (shopping mall)|The Forum]], a popular shopping mall in Bangalore.

It has been reported that [[gelatin]] sticks were used in the bombs. Police indicated that all bombs had [[timer]] devices attached to them and that mobile phones were used to trigger the bombs.<ref name="rediff_7_blasts">{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/25beng.htm|title=9 blasts rock Bengaluru; 1 killed, 7 injured |first=Vicky |last=Nanjappa|date=25 July 2008|publisher=Rediff|access-date=13 February 2018 }}</ref> The blasts were low-intensity but occurred in crowded areas.<ref name="BBC_serial">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7525033.stm|title= 'Serial bombs' hit India's IT hub|date=25 July 2008|publisher=[[BBC]]|access-date=25 July 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080726001710/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7525033.stm| archive-date= 26 July 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>

* 1st blast: 1.20 pm, [[Madiwala]] bus depot
* 2nd blast: 1.25 pm, [[Mysore]] road
* 3rd blast: 1.40 pm, [[Adugodi]]
* 4th blast: 2.10 pm, [[Koramangala]]
* 5th blast: 2.25 pm, Vittal Mallya road
* 6th blast: 2.35 pm, Langford Town
* 7th blast: Richmond Town<ref name="Bangalore blasts: When and where">{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-25/india/27892409_1_bomb-blasts-bangalore-blasts-fifth-blast|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021103052/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-25/india/27892409_1_bomb-blasts-bangalore-blasts-fifth-blast|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 October 2012|title=Bangalore blasts: When and where|date=25 July 2008|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=25 July 2008}}</ref>

There was another bomb found on 26 July 2008 in Bangalore near Forum Mall, Koramangala which was defused successfully by the Bomb Detection Squad.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110720183224/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-26/india/27888838_1_bomb-shankar-bidri-police-cordoned Another bomb found in Bangalore, defused-India-The Times of India]</ref>

== Casualties ==

One person was killed and 20 injured in the attacks.<ref name="ToI_6_blasts"/> The confirmed dead was a woman waiting at a bus shelter in Madiwala on the Hosur road; her husband and another person were seriously injured. The injured were admitted to the [[St. John's Medical College|St. Johns Hospital]].<ref name="rediff_7_blasts"/>

In response to the attack Prime Minister Singh sanctioned an [[ex gratia]] payment of Rs one [[lakh]] to the relatives of those dead and Rs 50,000 to those injured in the blasts.<ref>{{cite news|title=Manmohan Singh condemns Bangalore blasts|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_manmohan-singh-condemns-bangalore-blasts_1179746|access-date=16 December 2010|newspaper=Daily News and Analysis|date=25 July 2008}}</ref>

== Reactions ==
President [[Pratibha Patil]], the Prime Minister, [[Manmohan Singh]], Leader of the opposition [[L. K. Advani]], Vice-President [[Hamid Ansari]], Chief Minister of Karnataka, [[B. S. Yeddyurappa]] all condemned the violence and appealed for calm and communal harmony.<ref name="PM, Karnataka CM condemn blasts; call for calm">{{cite news|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/pm-karnataka-cm-condemn-blasts-call-for-calm/69572-3.html?xml|title=PM, Karnataka CM condemn blasts; call for calm|date=25 July 2008|publisher=CNN IBN|access-date=25 July 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080730064912/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/pm-karnataka-cm-condemn-blasts-call-for-calm/69572-3.html?xml| archive-date= 30 July 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>[http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200807260339.htm The Hindu News Update Service]</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Serial blasts rattle Bangalore; woman killed|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/07/26/stories/2008072660910100.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080728071308/http://www.hindu.com/2008/07/26/stories/2008072660910100.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 July 2008|access-date=16 December 2010|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=26 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 The Hindu News Update Service] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080728194713/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200807271760.htm |date=28 July 2008 }}</ref> The [[All India Muslim Forum]] also "strongly condemned" the attack.<ref>[http://southasiacontactgroupachieve.blogspot.com/2008/07/re-southasiacontact-condemnation-of.html {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120728221705/http://southasiacontactgroupachieve.blogspot.com/2008/07/re-southasiacontact-condemnation-of.html |date=28 July 2012 }} South Asia Contact Group Achieve: Re: [SouthAsiaContact&#93; Condemnation of Banglore and Ahmedabad Blasts – Dr.M.K.Sherwani]</ref>

== Impacts ==

Calls by concerned and panicked citizens resulted in the telephone networks being jammed.<ref name="IBNLive_video_260"/><ref name="NDTV_5_blasts">[http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080058672 Five blasts hit Bangalore] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080728003159/http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080058672 |date=28 July 2008 }}. NDTV. 25 July 2008.</ref> Malls, schools and cinema halls across the city were shut down, and the police cordoned off the blast sites.<ref name="BBC_serial"/>

The effect of the blast on the [[Sensex]] was immediately visible with losses exceeding 3.5% reported on Friday after the Bangalore blasts. The 30-share BSE index was down 3.7%, or 529.28 points at 14,228.81, with 23 components in the red. The 50-issue NSE index was down 2.9 percent at 4,305.30.<ref name="Yahoo_News_shares">{{Cite web |url=http://in.news.yahoo.com/137/20080725/371/tbs-indian-shares-extend-fall-on-bangalo.html |title=Indian shares extend fall on Bangalore blasts news |access-date=25 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010145510/http://in.news.yahoo.com/137/20080725/371/tbs-indian-shares-extend-fall-on-bangalo.html |archive-date=10 October 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The government has issued a statement that IT companies in Bangalore were not the target of the blast. This was reaffirmed when major IT companies based in the city -like [[Wipro]] and [[Infosys]]- reported that the blasts had no impact on their operations and that all employees were safe. Employees were, however, urged to leave for home early.<ref name="Blasts have no impact on operations: Infosys, Wipro">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Blasts_have_no_impact_on_operations_Infosys_Wipro/rssarticleshow/3281073.cms|title=Blasts have no impact on operations: Infosys, Wipro|date=25 July 2008|work=The Times of India|access-date=22 July 2008}}</ref> A new security plan for IT and other industries was announced by [[Minister for Home Affairs (India)|Minister for Home Affairs]] [[Shivraj Patil]] immediately after the Bangalore serial blasts. Under the new amendment of law [[Central Industrial Security Force]] personnel could be used to safeguard [[private sector]] industries which till now was limited to [[public sector undertaking]]s (PSUs).<ref name="Centre warned Karnataka just a day before attack">{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-26/india/27932022_1_home-ministry-madhukar-gupta-cisf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021103119/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-26/india/27932022_1_home-ministry-madhukar-gupta-cisf|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 October 2012|title=Centre warned Karnataka just a day before attack|date=25 July 2008|access-date=23 July 2008|first1=Vishwa|work=[[The Times of India]]|last1=Mohan}}</ref>

== Investigation ==
No one has claimed responsibility for the bombings. The Bangalore Police Commissioner, Shankar Bidari, termed the blasts "an act of miscreants" trying to disturb peace in the city. The Union Home Ministry of India named the Pakistan-based [[Lashkar-e-Toiba]] and [[Students Islamic Movement of India]], as the suspects.<ref name="rediff_7_blasts"/>

The Bangalore Police said that attack "bore some hallmarks" of the Bangladesh-based militant group [[Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami]] (HuJI).<ref>[http://uk.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUKISL16912820080725 Seven small blasts hit Indian IT city of Bangalore]. Reuters.</ref>

The Central [[Government of India]] had warned the [[Government of Karnataka|Karnataka state government]] one day earlier that state was high on the terror hitlist along with six other [[List of Indian state and union territory capitals|Indian states]]&nbsp;– [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Rajasthan]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Maharashtra]], [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]], and [[Assam]] – and Union Territory [[Delhi]].<ref name="Centre warned Karnataka just a day before attack" />

There is a possible connection with the [[25 August 2007 Hyderabad bombings|Andhra]] and [[2006 Varanasi bombings|Varanasi]] attacks. An official was quoted as saying "The aim of these groups, whether HuJI or LeT or Simi, is clear. Bangalore and Hyderabad are being chosen as targets to create panic in the US as the cities house [the] biggest IT companies from the US."
The Andhra – Karnataka link involves Raziuddin Nasir, a Hyderabad resident, and his aide Hafiz Khan Adnan from Bangalore, were arrested near Hubli in Karnataka this year. Furthermore, another clear link between the terror elements in both blasts is the explosive material used. In the Bangalore blasts an explosive with an ammonium nitrate base was used, while in the Gokul Chat and Lumbini Park explosions in Hyderabad a similar ammonium nitrate base was used. These were also of low intensity with the aim of creating panic. Like the [[Malegaon]] and [[Mecca Masjid]] blasts, it took place on a Friday during or just after the prayers.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-26/india/27901576_1_bangalore-blasts-gokul-chat-twin-blasts | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021103134/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-26/india/27901576_1_bangalore-blasts-gokul-chat-twin-blasts | url-status=dead | archive-date=21 October 2012 | title=Clear link with terror elements of Andhra | date=26 July 2008| work=[[The Times of India]] | access-date= 26 July 2008 }}</ref> In response to these blasts security was also beefed up in [[Andhra Pradesh]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14724295 |title=Archived copy |access-date=26 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080731030242/http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14724295 |archive-date=31 July 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

It was also reported that [[sleeper cell]]s have gained a firm foothold in Karnataka with the discovery of terror camps in the Karnataka forest early in the year. In this vein, near-simultaneous blasts – all having the footprint of the jehadi network that had carried out blasts in Varanasi, Jaipur, Mumbai and elsewhere – point to the strong foothold terrorists have made in the city.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121021103139/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-26/india/27919890_1_fahad-sleeper-cells-arms-training Sleeper cells gain foothold in Bangalore-India-The Times of India]</ref>

On 29 July, the Bangalore police [[Anti Terrorist Squad (India)|Anti Terrorism Squad]] (ATS) arrested a SIMI activist named Sameer Sadiq in connection with the blasts. According to the police, Sadiq had played a key role in the [[Surat riots]]. He was staying at Gurapanapalya in [[Bangalore]], the area which incidentally housed the SIMI office before it had been banned.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/30beng.htm|title=Bangalore arrest turns focus back on SIMI|access-date=29 July 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080801054915/http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/30beng.htm| archive-date= 1 August 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>

On 30 July 2008, the [[Intelligence Bureau (India)|Intelligence Bureau]] (IB) indicated that two men – Rasool Khan Parti and Mohammad Sufiya Ahmed Patangiya – currently living at Farahan Arcade Gulistan in [[Karachi]] were the masterminds behind the [[2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts|Ahmedabad]] and the Bangalore serial blasts. They used to reside in [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]], [[Andhra Pradesh]]. Both are possibly 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 5 February 2009, Karnataka Police arrested Muhammed Zakaria, then 19 years old, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. He was accused of making timers for the blasts. Two witnesses have retracted their testimony alleging that the police made them witnesses and the case is fabricated.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mirza|first=Sahal Muhammed,Adila Matra,Syed Shiyaz|date=2019-04-24|title=11 Years a ‘Terrorist’: How Cops Faked Testimonies Against Zakaria|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/zakaria-kerala-terror-accused-in-bengaluru-blasts|access-date=2020-09-19|website=TheQuint|language=en}}</ref> In March 2020, Zakariya's mother, Biyumma filed a [[Public interest litigation in India|Public Interest Litigation (PIL)]] in the Supreme Court seeking to declare the [[Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act|Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)]], as unconstitutional.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Abdulla|first=Shaheen|date=2020-07-25|title=Beyummah, a mother who challenges UAPA|url=https://maktoobmedia.com/2020/07/25/beyummah-a-mother-who-challenges-uapa/|access-date=2020-09-19|website=Maktoob|language=en-US}}</ref> Advocate Hashir K Muhammed created a documentary about Zakariya in 2017 titled 'A Documentary about disappearance.'<ref>{{Cite web|last=Fatima|first=Nikhat|date=2019-02-14|title=Ten years as an undertrial, but no justice in sight: The tragic fate of Zakariya|url=http://twocircles.net/2019feb14/429214.html|access-date=2020-09-19|website=TwoCircles.net|language=en-US}}</ref> 

On December 2009, two Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists including Lashkar's South India commander Thadiyantevide Nasir were arrested by the Indian Forces from the Bangladesh border. Interrogation of them lead to significant evidences to the serial blasts in several Indian cities in 2008 especially the Bangalore blasts. Nasir's arrest paved way for the arrest of several Muslim youth from Kerala involved in terrorism,<ref>[http://newindianexpress.com/cities/bangalore/article83655.ece Three more arrested in Bangalore blasts case]</ref> as well as evidences for terror links of Kerala politician [[Abdul Nasser Madani]].<ref>[http://newindianexpress.com/cities/bangalore/article82021.ece Nasir confesses to links with Madani]</ref> Madani's wife [[Soofiya Madani]] was arrested by Kerala Police on 19 December 2009 on the ground that she had taken an active role in Kalamassery Tamil Nadu state transportation corporation bus burning case. The remand report presented by police in the court said Soofiya had confessed to her role in the case and links with Laskhar-e-Toiba South India commander Tadiyantavide Nasir. However, Soofiya’s counsel said the charges were false. Nasir was Madani’s ‘‘enemy’’ and had lied to police to implicate Soofiya, he claimed. But the prosecution pointed out that the Kerala high court while rejecting her anticipatory bail plea had said that the bus burning case was an act of terror.<ref>[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/soofiya-madani-sent-to-14-day-judicial-custody/articleshow/5354404.cms]</ref>[[T Nazir]] is involved in the cases ranging from the attempted murder of former kerala chief minister [E K Nayanar] to the recent{{when|date=February 2018}} Bangalore bomb blast for which he is under custody of Karnataka police. Bangalore police has already obtained ample proof that T Nazir and his associates like Abdul Sattar has good link with Madani family. These sequence of events has brought serious question to [[Kerala]]'s position holding the image of a good secular fabric in its society.<ref>[http://news.rediff.com/report/2009/dec/22/bangalore-police-to-seek-soofiya-madani-custody.htm]</ref>


== See also ==
* [[List of terrorist incidents, 2008]]
* [[Allegations of state terrorism committed by Pakistan]]

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.ibnlive.com/photogallery/892.html Photo Gallery]. IBNLive.
* [http://www.itgo.in/index.php?issueid=&id=&option=com_registration&task=homegallery&home=1&exist=yes&thumbid=170&assignedid=172&start_bottom=0 Bangalore Blasts in pictures] [[India Today]]

{{War on Terrorism}}

{{coord missing|Karnataka}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bangalore Serial Blasts}}

{{#seo:
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[[Category:Terrorist incidents in India in 2008]]
[[Category:2000s in Bangalore]]
[[Category:Religiously motivated violence in India]]
[[Category:Improvised explosive device bombings in India]]
[[Category:Islamic terrorism in India]]
[[Category:History of Karnataka (1947–present)]]
[[Category:2000s murders in India]]
[[Category:2008 crimes in India]]
[[Category:2008 murders in Asia]]