View source for 27 September 2008 Delhi bombing

{{short description|Terrorist attack in Delhi, India}}
{{distinguish|13 September 2008 Delhi bombings}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox civilian attack
|title = 27 September 2008 Delhi bombing
|image =
|caption =
|location = [[Delhi]], India
|coordinates = 
|date = 27 September 2008
|time = 14:15 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
|timezone = [[UTC+05:30]]
|type = Bombing
|fatalities = 3<ref name="ht2"/>
|injuries = 23
|perps =
|perp =
|weapons = Crude [[bomb]]s
|motive = 
}}
{{Terrorist attacks in India (since 2001)}}
The '''27 September 2008 Delhi bombing''' in [[India]]'s second largest metropolis left three people dead and twenty-three more injured, on an infamous Saturday.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/sep/27delblast1.htm|title=2 killed, 17 injured in Delhi blast}}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/latest-headlines/story/3-dead-17-injured-in-mehrauli-blast-in-delhi-30592-2008-09-27|title=3 dead, 17 injured in Mehrauli blast in Delhi}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-news/seven-killed-15-injured-in-bomb-blast-in-delhis-mehrauli-area_100100797.html |title=Seven killed, 15 injured in bomb blast in Delhi's Mehrauli area |publisher=Thaindian.com |access-date=27 September 2008| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080930052723/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-news/seven-killed-15-injured-in-bomb-blast-in-delhis-mehrauli-area_100100797.html| archivedate= 30 September 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7639302.stm |publisher=BBC News | title=Bomb hits India market shoppers|date=27 September 2008}}</ref> The explosion occurred at 14:15, in [[Mehrauli]]'s Electronic market called Sarai. Initially, there were reports of two persons, including a thirteen-year-old boy, named Santosh being killed in the attack. However, the next day the death toll rose to three.<ref name=ht2>{{cite news|title=Death toll in Delhi blast rises to three|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/FullcoverageStoryPage.aspx?id=4eda9fa6-e2f5-4ea6-bd8e-dff5d4159f26TerrorStrikesDelhi_Special&&Headline=Death+toll+in+Delhi+blast+rises+to+three|access-date=18 December 2015|agency=Press Trust of India|work=Hindustan Times|date=28 September 2008|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081001165308/http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/FullcoverageStoryPage.aspx?id=4eda9fa6-e2f5-4ea6-bd8e-dff5d4159f26TerrorStrikesDelhi_Special&&Headline=Death+toll+in+Delhi+blast+rises+to+three|archivedate=1 October 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/delhi-blast-honesty-turns-fatal-for-boy/366708/|title = Delhi blast: Honesty turns fatal for boy – Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/death-toll-in-delhi-blast-rises-to-three/74528-3.html|title=Death toll in Delhi blast rises to three |publisher=Ibnlive.com|access-date=30 March 2012}}</ref> About 23 others were injured<ref name="timesofindia1">{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-09-28/india/27919511_1_bomb-blast-delhi-s-mehrauli-delhi-police|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021204546/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-09-28/india/27919511_1_bomb-blast-delhi-s-mehrauli-delhi-police|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 October 2012|title=Two detained in Delhi's Mehrauli blast-India|date=28 September 2008|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=30 March 2012}}</ref> and were treated at [[AIIMS]] and Fortis Hospital.<ref name=timesofindia>{{cite news|url= http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-09-28/india/27919511_1_bomb-blast-delhi-s-mehrauli-delhi-police|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121021204546/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-09-28/india/27919511_1_bomb-blast-delhi-s-mehrauli-delhi-police|url-status= dead|archive-date= 21 October 2012|title=Blast in Mehrauli area in Delhi-India|date=28 September 2008|access-date=28 September 2008|first1=Rahul|work= [[The Times of India]]|last1=Tripathi}}</ref> The bombing took place exactly two weeks after the [[2008 Delhi bombings|five serial blasts]] in [[Delhi]] on 13 September 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/target-delhi-capital-struck-twice-in-2-weeks/74509-3.html|title=Target Delhi: Capital struck twice in 2 weeks |publisher=Ibnlive.com|access-date=28 September 2008|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20081001102327/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/target-delhi-capital-struck-twice-in-2-weeks/74509-3.html|archivedate=1 October 2008 | url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Mehrauli Bomb Spot One year after.jpg|thumb|Mehrauli Bomb Spot One year after]]

==The blast==
Eyewitnesses reported that the blast took place after two men in black dress and wearing helmets and riding a motorcycle dropped a [[Tiffin carriers|tiffin box]] in which the bomb was placed. A thirteen-year-old boy named Santosh, who was running an errand for his uncle, to fetch a crate of eggs, picked up the box in an attempt to return it to the bikers, but they refused and fled.<ref name=PTI>{{cite news|url= http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/terror-hits-delhi-again--bomb-blast-kills-boy/366683/|author=Swaha Sahoo|title=Terror hits Delhi again; bomb blast kills boy|agency=New Delhi|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=28 September 2008|access-date=28 September 2008|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20140125013215/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/terror-hits-delhi-again--bomb-blast-kills-bo/366683/|archivedate=25 January 2014 }}</ref> People nearby witnessed smoke coming out of the box and advised the boy to get away, but it was too late.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=4a51cda5-fddd-4865-ade1-8efdf2d8f6a8&ParentID=51b83e2a-2ed3-4d65-b113-f3efe14f670f&&Headline=%27Aapka+packet+gir+gaya+hai%27|title=Aapka packet gir gaya hai'|newspaper=Hindustan Times|place=[[New Delhi]]|date=28 September 2008|access-date=28 September 2008}}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The resulting explosion killed the boy and injured 18 others. Santosh's mother Rekha was inconsolable. The locals of Ward No.8, shopkeepers by profession, could not contain their anger at the poor security arrangements and investigation, in spite of the five horrific blasts which had taken place on 13 September 2008, in four places in Delhi.<ref>[http://www.hindustantimes.com/photos/india/mehrauliblast/article4-340899.aspx Photos]{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/two-dead-25-injured-in-delhis-mehrauli-blast/74473-3.html|title=Two dead, 25 injured in Delhi's Mehrauli blast |publisher=Ibnlive.com|access-date=28 September 2008|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080930055312/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/two-dead-25-injured-in-delhis-mehrauli-blast/74473-3.html|archivedate=30 September 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> ''[[The Washington Post]]'' reported that seven of them were in critical condition.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/27/AR2008092701365.html?hpid=topnews|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|first=Rama|last=Lakshmi|title=Bomb Explosion in Indian Capital Kills 1, Injures 18|date=28 September 2008}}</ref> The police said that the blast was similar to those near [[IIT Delhi]] and [[Lado Sarai]] in January and February respectively this year.<ref name=timesofindia/>

==Aftermath and reaction==
The [[Chief Minister of Delhi]] declared a compensation of [[Indian rupee|Rs.]] 500,000 to the kin of the dead and Rs. 50,000 plus all costs of treatment to those injured.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/explosion-of-politics-blame-game-after-delhi-blast/74507-3.html|title=Blame game after blast &#124; Pics: Chaos, fear |publisher=Ibnlive.com|access-date=28 September 2008|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080930055055/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/explosion-of-politics-blame-game-after-delhi-blast/74507-3.html|archivedate=30 September 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> The blast was condemned by several Indian politicians including [[Pranab Mukherjee]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/videopod/default.aspx?id=39780|title=News » Videos|publisher=[[NDTV]]|access-date=30 March 2012}}</ref> and [[Lal Krishna Advani]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/videopod/default.aspx?id=39779|title=News » Videos|publisher=NDTV|access-date=30 March 2012|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080930055312/http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/videopod/default.aspx?id=39779|archivedate=30 September 2008 }}</ref> Main opposition party, the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP), accused the government of India of being soft on terror.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/28/stories/2008092859600800.htm |title=Manmohan soft on terror: BJP|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=28 September 2008|access-date=28 September 2008 |location=[[Chennai]], [[India]]|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080929233733/http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/28/stories/2008092859600800.htm| archivedate= 29 September 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Indian External Affairs Minister [[Pranab Mukherjee]] said, "The Government is determined to wean out the culprits."{{Citation needed|date=September 2008}}

The series of attacks across major Indian cities since May 2008 reportedly created a sense of fear and insecurity among India's populace. According to a survey held by [[CNN-IBN]] and ''[[Hindustan Times]]'', 81% of urban Indians felt scared after the recent surge in terror attacks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/cnnibnht-survey-urban-india-petrified/74511-3.html|title=CNN-IBN-HT Survey: Urban India petrified &#124; Delhi jinxed?|publisher=Ibnlive.com|access-date=28 September 2008| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080930061056/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/cnnibnht-survey-urban-india-petrified/74511-3.html|archivedate=30 September 2008| url-status=live}}</ref> Of those who were surveyed, 90% said that India needed much stronger laws to tackle terrorism, while the remainder said India did not need any such tougher laws.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/fear-factor-india-scared-scarred-by-nonstop-terror/74525-3-single.html|title=Fear factor: India scared, scarred by terror |publisher=Ibnlive.com|access-date=28 September 2008|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20081001181542/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/fear-factor-india-scared-scarred-by-nonstop-terror/74525-3-single.html|archivedate=1 October 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

''[[The Hindu]]'' reported that usually crowded shopping areas in Delhi bore a deserted look during the weekend as a consequence of the blast.<ref>{{cite news|title=Many give weekend shopping a miss|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/article1347286.ece|access-date=18 December 2015|work=The Hindu|date=28 September 2008}}</ref> According to the ''[[Indian Express]]'', shopkeepers had kept away from the flower market in Mehrauli, the blast site.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Mehrauli-struggles-for-normalcy/367091 |title=Mehrauli struggles for normalcy|work=The Indian Express|date=29 September 2008|access-date=30 September 2008|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20081001190312/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Mehrauli-struggles-for-normalcy/367091|archivedate=1 October 2008 }}</ref>

Following the blast, the security arrangements for the [[Australian cricket team]], currently on a [[Australian cricket team in India in 2008-09|tour of India]], was tightened.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://content-www.cricinfo.com/indvaus2008/content/story/371501.html |title=Australia not seeking venue change yet |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=30 March 2012}}</ref> [[Cricket Australia]] was reported to be reviewing security arrangements in Delhi where it is scheduled to play a test match against [[Indian cricket team]] in late October 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricketnext.com/news/blast-casts-shadow-on-delhi-test/34369-13.html |title=Blast casts shadow on Delhi Test : Cricket Next|access-date=30 September 2008|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080930033910/http://www.cricketnext.com/news/blast-casts-shadow-on-delhi-test/34369-13.html| archivedate= 30 September 2008 | url-status=live}}</ref> However, in a statement Cricket Australia said that the test match in Delhi will go ahead as per schedule.<ref>{{cite news|title=India tour is on, announces Cricket Australia|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report-india-tour-is-on-announces-cricket-australia-1190728|access-date=18 December 2015|publisher=DNA India|date=16 September 2008}}</ref>

==Investigation==
According to ''the Hindu'', two men on a motorcycle wearing black shirts, jeans and helmets planted the bomb.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/28/stories/2008092861040100.htm |title=Blast in Delhi again, two killed |date= 28 September 2008|access-date=28 September 2008|location=Chennai, India| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080930005855/http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/28/stories/2008092861040100.htm|archivedate=30 September 2008 |work=[[The Hindu]] |url-status=dead}}</ref> Investigating authorities revealed that [[ammonium nitrate]], [[sulphur]] and [[potassium]] were used to cause the low-intensity blast.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKTRE48R0RR20080928?sp=true|agency=Reuters| title=Indian police detain about 12 over Delhi blast|date=28 September 2008|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20081001223526/http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKTRE48R0RR20080928?sp=true|archivedate=1 October 2008 }}</ref>

A team of [[National Security Guards]] was deployed to assist the investigating authorities.<ref name="timesofindia1"/> [[Delhi Police]] had detained five persons at the [[Indira Gandhi International Airport]] whom they suspected of having a role in the blast. According to ''[[Hindustan Times]]'', the police also selected several [[Bangladesh]]is for interrogation.<ref name="ht">{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/FullcoverageStoryPage.aspx?id=51b83e2a-2ed3-4d65-b113-f3efe14f670fTerrorStrikesDelhi_Special&&Headline=Mehrauli+blast:+Police+suspect+Bangladeshi+link|title=Police suspect Bangladeshi link|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=28 September 2008|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080928125158/http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/FullcoverageStoryPage.aspx?id=51b83e2a-2ed3-4d65-b113-f3efe14f670fTerrorStrikesDelhi_Special&&Headline=Mehrauli+blast%3A+Police+suspect+Bangladeshi+link| archivedate= 28 September 2008 | url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[NDTV]]'' said that there was a possibility that the attack was not carried out by the ''[[Indian Mujahideen]]'', which claimed responsibility for the serial attacks in Delhi two weeks before, since the bomb which went off in Mehrauli was quite different.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080066938M |title=NDTV.com: Delhi blast: Arrival of a new terror module?|publisher=Ndtv.com |access-date=28 September 2008}}</ref>

Police in [[Faridabad]] had identified and held the man who sold the [[SIM card]] to the terrorists from which the attackers had made a call to media agencies threatening another terror strike moments before the blast.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080066965 |title=NDTV.com: First arrest made in connection with Delhi blast |publisher=Ndtv.com |access-date=28 September 2008|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081101205527/http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080066965|archivedate=1 November 2008}}</ref> The police also detained the person whose cell phone was used to make the call.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mehrauli blast: Manhunt launched|url=http://timesnow.tv/NewsDtls.aspx?NewsID=16964|access-date=18 December 2015|publisher=Times Now|date=28 September 2008|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080930151802/http://timesnow.tv/NewsDtls.aspx?NewsID=16964|archivedate=30 September 2008}}</ref> The police across NCR had increased patrolling at various access points.<ref>{{cite news|title=Capital alert, access points blocked|url=http://www.timesnow.tv/Newsdtls.aspx?NewsID=16927|access-date=18 December 2015|publisher=Times Now|date=27 September 2008|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081002011007/http://www.timesnow.tv/Newsdtls.aspx?NewsID=16927|archivedate=2 October 2008}}</ref>
The [[Deputy commissioner of police (India)|Deputy Commissioner of Police]] for Delhi, Alok Kumar, said, "The evidence collected so far indicates that the bomb had no timer or detonator and it was low-intensity. We do not think it was linked to the Indian Mujahideen or any other terror group. In the recent past, in the stretch between the IP flyover and the Andheria road-junction in Mehrauli, there have been instances when bike-borne youths have dropped bombs in crowded streets."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=3594a875-4778-44c5-8b89-6f206390895b&ParentID=51b83e2a-2ed3-4d65-b113-f3efe14f670f&&Headline=Mehrauli+blast%3a+Despair+%26amp%3b+hope |title=Mehrauli blast: Despair & hope |work=Hindustan Times|access-date=28 September 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081001165334/http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=3594a875-4778-44c5-8b89-6f206390895b&ParentID=51b83e2a-2ed3-4d65-b113-f3efe14f670f&&Headline=Mehrauli+blast%3A+Despair+&amp%3B+hope |archivedate=1 October 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The ''[[Indian Express]]'' revealed that the bomb was quite similar to those made by [[Abdul Karim Tunda]], an alleged terrorist who has been linked to several prior terrorist attacks in India.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Saturday-s-blast-had-Tunda-s-signature/367093 |title=Saturday's blast had Tunda's signature|work=The Indian Express|date=29 September 2008|access-date=30 September 2008|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20081001190317/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Saturday-s-blast-had-Tunda-s-signature/367093|archivedate=1 October 2008 }}</ref>

The police also reported that they had received a call before the blasts saying, "Save Delhi, there will be blast!"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=a511c51b-4d0b-431c-9704-f7c43b03e5b1&ParentID=4eda9fa6-e2f5-4ea6-bd8e-dff5d4159f26&&Headline=Man+made+a+call+to+Delhi+police+about+blast%3a+Faridabad+police |title=Man made a call to Delhi police about blast: Faridabad police|work=Hindustan Times|date=28 September 2008|access-date=30 March 2012|url-status=dead |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20081001165343/http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=a511c51b-4d0b-431c-9704-f7c43b03e5b1&ParentID=4eda9fa6-e2f5-4ea6-bd8e-dff5d4159f26&&Headline=Man+made+a+call+to+Delhi+police+about+blast%3A+Faridabad+police|archivedate=1 October 2008 }}</ref>

Unlike the [[29 September 2008 western India bombings|Mehrauli and Malegaon blasts]] investigations, police in Delhi have ruled out Hindu groups as having perpetrated the blasts, a move drawing increasing polarisation as a result of the aforementioned investigation. The groups had been "under the scanner." The police cited their ruling out of the Hindu groups as the "signature (type) of the explosive used in Mehrauli was different from those used in Modasa and Malegaon." He did add that while "Low-intensity explosives were used in [all] three places... they were not identical. The timer mechanism used in Mehrauli was different from the one used in Malegaon/Modasa that indicates the former was the handiwork of a separate outfit. In Mehrauli, the bomb was timed by its acidic contents, while in Malegaon/Modasa the bomb was set off by a timer based on the batteries of the bikes used to plant them."<ref>[http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=Cricket&id=8a4eeaa5-b49a-42e1-acb7-604b262661e7&&Headline=Hindu+outfits+not+behind+Mehrauli+blast%3a+Police Hindu outfits not behind Mehrauli blast: Police – ''Hindustan Times''<!-- Bot generated title -->]{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of terrorist incidents in 2008]]
*[[Jaipur bombings]]
*[[Bangalore bombings]]
*[[2008 Ahmedabad bombings]]
*[[13 September 2008 Delhi bombings]]
*[[29 September 2008 western India bombings]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080930061131/http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/gallerydetail.aspx?imgid=2580&img=1 Photo gallery of the blast site]

{{War on Terrorism}}

{{coord missing|Delhi}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Delhi Blast}}
[[Category:Improvised explosive device bombings in India]]
[[Category:Mehrauli]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents in India in 2008]]
[[Category:Improvised explosive device bombings in 2008]]
[[Category:2000s in Delhi]]
[[Category:Murder in Delhi]]
[[Category:2008 murders in India]]
[[Category:September 2008 in India]]
[[Category:Anti-Hindu violence in India]]
[[Category:September 2008 crimes in Asia]]
[[Category:2008 mass murders]]
[[Category:21st-century mass murders in India]]