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{{Short description|2008 terrorist bombings in Rajasthan, India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox civilian attack
| title = Jaipur bombings
| motive = [[Islamic terrorism]]
| image =
| caption = Sanganeri Gate, one of the areas where the bombing took place
| location = [[Jaipur]], Rajasthan, India
| coordinates = {{Coord|26.9260|75.8235|type:event_region:IN-RJ|display=inline,title}}
| date = {{Start date|2008|05|13|df=yes}}
| time = 19:35
| timezone = [[UTC]]+5:30
| weapons = [[Bicycle bomb]]s, [[ammonium nitrate]], [[RDX]]
| fatalities = 80<ref>[http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=93088 Bombings Kill 80 in Western India – Novinite.com – Sofia News Agency]. Novinite.com (14 May 2008). Retrieved on 2013-08-17.</ref>
| injuries = 216
| perps = [[Indian Mujahideen]] (claimed responsibility)<br>[[Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami Bangladesh]] (also suspected)
| perp =
| susperps =
| susperp =
| verdict = [[Acquittal]]
| convicted =
| accused = 5
| charges = [[Indian Penal Code]], [[Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act]], Explosives Act, Murder, attempt to murder, conspiracy for waging war against government, sedition, promoting enmity between groups and criminal conspiracy<ref name=":0"/>
}}
{{Terrorist attacks in India (since 2001)}}

The '''Jaipur bombings''' were a series of nine synchronized [[bomb]] blasts that took place on 13 May 2008 within a span of 15 minutes at locations in [[Jaipur]], the capital city of the [[Indian state]] of [[Rajasthan]] and a tourist destination.<ref name="tenth">"[http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/defused-bomb-in-jaipur-had-only-rdx-traces_10050850.html Defused bomb in Jaipur had only RDX traces] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611105707/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/defused-bomb-in-jaipur-had-only-rdx-traces_10050850.html |date=11 June 2008 }}", Thaindian News, 20 May 2008.</ref> Official reports confirmed that 63 died while 216 or more people were injured.<ref>Majumdar, Bappa. "[http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/FullcoverageStoryPage.aspx?id=ba873f80-b554-48c2-be89-3917c7e6f249TerrorstrikesJaipur_Special&&Headline='Unknown+terror+group+claims+responsibility' Unknown terror group claims responsibility: report]"{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}, [[Hindustan Times]], 15 May 2008.</ref> The bombings shocked most of India and resulted in widespread condemnation from leaders across the world with many countries showing solidarity with [[India]] in its fight against [[terrorism]].<ref name="IndiaTimes-condemn">{{Cite web |last=Gupta |first=Abhinav |date=2017-08-03 |title=10 deadly terror attacks in India that shocked the world |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india-10-deadly-terror-attacks-in-india-that-shocked-the-world-394650 |access-date=2021-11-30 |website=indiatvnews.com |language=en}}</ref>

This was the first time terrorists had targeted Jaipur,<ref>"[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/3037795.cms For the first time in 280 years]", [[The Times of India]], 14 May 2008.</ref> India's tenth largest city and one of its most popular tourist destinations. The bombs went off near historic monuments at one of the busiest times of the day. One of the bombs exploded close to Jaipur's most famous landmark, the historic [[Hawa Mahal]] (palace of winds).<ref>"[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7399823.stm Curfew imposed after India blasts]", [[BBC News]], 14 May 2008.</ref>

Two days after the blasts, a previously unknown [[Islam]]ic terrorist group<ref>"[http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hIA4Jrf22A_LF8AAsPgwjxgZviVw Unknown Islamic group threatens more blasts in tourist India]" {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706082546/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hIA4Jrf22A_LF8AAsPgwjxgZviVw |date=6 July 2008 }}, [[Agence France-Presse]], 14 May 2008.</ref> known as ''[[Indian Mujahideen]]'', sent an e-mail to Indian media in which they claimed responsibility for the attacks<ref name = "IndiaToday-video">"[http://indiatoday.digitaltoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8257&issueid=53&Itemid=1 Indian Mujahideen sends pre-blast video footage]", [[India Today]], 14 May 2008.</ref> and said they would "demolish the faith ([[Hinduism]])" of the "infidels of India".<ref name="TheAustralian-expel">"[http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23718469-2703,00.html Outraged India set to expel migrants]" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116062803/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23718469-2703,00.html |date=16 January 2009 }}, ''[[The Australian]]'', 19 May 2008.</ref> Though the Indian authorities said that the e-mail was genuine, they also added that there were some contradictions and the primary motive of the e-mail might be to mislead investigating agencies.<ref>"[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Jaipur/Jaipur_blasts_Terror_email_genuine/articleshow/msid-3044451,curpg-2.cms Jaipur blasts: Terror email genuine]", [[The Times of India]], 16 May 2008.</ref> [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Indian Home Ministry]] sources said that a [[Bangladesh]]-based organization, [[Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami Bangladesh]] (HuJI) or "Islamic Holy War Movement", was suspected to be behind the attack. The police were also able to find credible evidence linking the suspected bombers to Bangladeshi militants<ref>"[http://asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1200&Itemid=35 Bangladeshi Immigrants Stoke Terror in India] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517045251/http://asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1200&Itemid=35 |date=17 May 2008 }}", [[Asia Sentinel]], 15 May 2008.</ref> which resulted in a backlash against illegal Bangladeshi migrants in Rajasthan.<ref name="migrants">"[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Rajasthan_govt_hunts_for_illegal_Bangladeshis/articleshow/3047096.cms After blasts, Rajasthan govt targets illegal Bangladeshi migrants]", [[The Times of India]], 16 May 2008.</ref><ref>Loudon, Bruce. "[http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23718469-2703,00.html Outraged India set to expel migrants]" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116062803/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23718469-2703,00.html |date=16 January 2009 }}, ''[[The Australian]]'', 19 May 2008.</ref>

In December 2019, four (Mohammed Saif, Mohammed Sarwar Azmi, Saifur Rehman and Mohammed Salman) of the five accused Indian Mujahideen terrorists were convicted and sentenced to death by a [[special court]] in Rajasthan under the [[Indian Penal Code]], the [[Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act]], and the Explosives Act, in eight cases registered by the [[Anti-Terrorism Squad]]. One of the accused was acquitted for lack of evidence.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/four-sentenced-to-death-in-2008-jaipur-serial-blasts-case/article30358914.ece|title=Four sentenced to death in 2008 Jaipur serial blasts case|last=Iqbal|first=Mohammed|date=2019-12-20|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-12-20|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> However, in March 2023, all four were acquitted of the charges by the Rajasthan High Court.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-29 |title=2008 Jaipur blasts: Rajasthan HC acquits all four who got death penalty |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/jaipur/2008-jaipur-bomb-blasts-rajasthan-hc-acquits-accused-death-penalty-2019-8526447/ |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

==Bombings==
[[File:Tripoliya Bazaar across from Tripolia Pol Gate.jpg|thumb|Tripolia Bazar]]

The following areas were bombed using [[RDX]] placed in bicycles:

* Bari Choupar
* Manak Chowk Police Station area
* Johari Bazar
* Tripolia Bazar
* Choti Choupar
* Kotwali area

Nine bombs at seven locations exploded within 15 minutes, starting at 7:10 pm.<ref name="tenth"/> The blasts were synchronized to inflict maximum casualties. The first two blasts occurred at Manak Chowk and as the crowd ran towards Johri Bazar another two blasts near the National Handloom Centre blocked the exit point, pushing back the panicked crowd towards Tripolia Bazar and Chandpol area, where subsequent blasts caused maximum fatalities.<ref>Thakur, Pradeep and Ghosh, Avijit. "[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Jaipur_was_target_in_93_as_well/articleshow/3049920.cms Jaipur was target in '93 as well]", [[The Times of India]], 18 May 2008.</ref>

==Aftermath==
The serial blasts created panic among Jaipur residents following which several units of police and [[Indian Paramilitary Forces]] were deployed throughout the city. Most of the victims were taken to [[Sawai Man Singh Hospital]]. The doctors used the mobile phones of the dead to inform the victims' relatives.<ref>"[http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEH20080514130110&Page=H&Title=Top+Stories&Topic=-536& Medicos use mobiles of dead to inform their relatives]" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517224121/http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEH20080514130110&Page=H&Title=Top+Stories&Topic=-536& |date=17 May 2008 }}, ''[[The New Indian Express]]'', 15 May 2008.</ref> A curfew was imposed in parts of Jaipur and the state government of Rajasthan had ordered all units of police to maintain extra vigilance across the state. The Government of India deployed several units of the elite [[National Security Guards]] in Jaipur to aid the law and order forces in the city.<ref>"[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Home_Ministry_sounds_nation-wide_alert/articleshow/3037212.cms Home Ministry sounds nation-wide alert]", [[The Times of India]], 13 May 2008.</ref> Four hundred men from [[Rapid Action Force]] were also sent.<ref>"[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Four_RAF_companies_rushed_to_Jaipur_/articleshow/3037475.cms Four RAF companies rushed to Jaipur]", [[The Times of India]], 14 May 2008.</ref> A few hours after the blasts, India declared high alert across several major Indian cities including [[Delhi]], [[Mumbai]] (Bombay) and [[Chennai]] (Madras). Security in other major Indian tourist destinations like [[Panaji]] and [[Agra]] was also increased.<ref>"[http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india-on-alert-security-stepped-up/65250-3.html India on alert, security stepped up]", [[CNN-IBN|IBN Live]], 14 May 2008.</ref> [[Delhi Police]] also sent a team to Jaipur to check whether the terrorist attacks there had any links with previous terrorists attacks in Delhi.<ref>"[http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c_online.php?leftnm=10&bKeyFlag=IN&autono=37466 Delhi Police sends team to Jaipur]", ''[[Press Trust of India]]'', 14 May 2008.</ref>

===Investigations===
India ordered an inquiry into the blasts while the Indian Home Ministry raised concerns that certain 'foreign elements' might be behind the bombings. The police has found credible evidence linking the bombing suspects to Bangladesh-based militants.<ref name="Makkar">Makkar, Sahil. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20080517233954/http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=fe68bad1-eee3-4bf4-9348-3dca6907d15f&ParentID=968fd3f9-adf8-4ce3-a000-c20020f45988&MatchID1=4696&TeamID1=2&TeamID2=5&MatchType1=1&SeriesID1=1185&PrimaryID=4696&Headline=Suspects+spoke+Bengali%2C+bought+cycles+without+bargaining+ Jaipur blast suspects spoke Bengali, bought cycles without bargaining]", ''[[Hindustan Times]]'', 16 May 2008.</ref> Consequently, Rajasthan state government took severe measures against illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in the state.<ref name="migrants"/>

Four people were detained for questioning by Rajasthan police regarding the blasts. A lead has already been traced by the police.<ref>"[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Jaipur_Curfew_imposed_4_detained/articleshow/3038124.cms Curfew imposed in Jaipur, 8 detained for questioning]", [[The Times of India]], 14 May 2008.</ref> Initial police investigations suggested the involvement of several Islamic militant organizations like [[Bangladesh]]-based [[Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami Bangladesh]], [[Student's Islamic Movement of India]] or [[Pakistan]]-based [[Lashkar-e-Toiba]].<ref>Sharan, Abhishek. "[http://www.hindustantimes.com/storypage/storypage.aspx?id=7c64f4d0-1a5f-4036-94bc-b097a340eb37&ParentID=63c10133-e75b-4ea9-afbe-8f72eeef6534&&Headline=HuJI%2c+SIMI+stamp+on+attacks HuJI, SIMI stamp on attacks] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517234033/http://www.hindustantimes.com/storypage/storypage.aspx?id=7c64f4d0-1a5f-4036-94bc-b097a340eb37&ParentID=63c10133-e75b-4ea9-afbe-8f72eeef6534&&Headline=HuJI%2C+SIMI+stamp+on+attacks |date=17 May 2008 }}", ''[[Hindustan Times]]'', 14 May 2008.</ref> Concerns are also being raised about the possible involvement of [[al-Qaeda]].<ref>"[http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/programguide/stories/200805/s2244992.htm India blast has hallmarks of Al Qaeda]", [[Radio Australia]], 14 May 2008.</ref>

Police officials say that the bomb blasts in Jaipur follow patterns similar to those observed during the bomb blasts in [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]] and [[Varanasi]].<ref>"[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7401573.stm Who is behind the India bombings?]", [[BBC News]], 14 May 2008.</ref> The [[Indian Police Service|Indian Police]] revealed that the bombs planted were of low intensity but by placing them in highly crowded areas, the terrorists had ensured that the death toll would be high.<ref>Chu, Henry. "[http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-india_blasts_14may14,0,1071978.story Bombs kill 80 in Indian tourist city]", [[Chicago Tribune]], 14 May 2008.</ref> The ''[[Times of India]]'' quoted Additional Director General of [[Rajasthan Police]] officer as saying that the terrorists had planted "highly explosive RDX" with timers on bicycles, a technique which was also used during the [[23 November 2007 Uttar Pradesh serial blasts|terror attacks]] in [[Uttar Pradesh]] in November 2007 (in which the involvement of Bangladesh's [[Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami Bangladesh]] is also suspected).<ref>"[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Jaipur_blasts_RDX_used_HuJI_suspected/articleshow/3038962.cms Jaipur blasts: RDX used, HuJI suspected]", [[The Times of India]], 14 May 2008.</ref> The police found striking similarity between the Jaipur bombings and [[25 August 2007 Hyderabad bombings|Hyderabad bombings]]. On 15 May, a police officer said

<blockquote>About 1.5 kg of Neogel with metal ball-bearings was put in boat-shaped wooden cases in Jaipur and Hyderabad. In both cases, timers were used. The similarities in the signatures of the bombs are shocking.<ref>"[http://howrah.org/india_news/12387.html Suspects trained at same PoK terror camp]"{{Dead link|date=November 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}, [[Howrah News Service]], 15 May 2008.</ref></blockquote>

Police said they had identified the people who had sold bicycles to the attackers.<ref>Vij, Nandita. "[http://www.france24.com/en/20080514-jaipur-police-suspect-bangladeshi-terror-group-involvement-india&navi=MONDE Jaipur police suspect Islamist terror link]" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023122852/http://www.france24.com/en/20080514-jaipur-police-suspect-bangladeshi-terror-group-involvement-india%26navi%3DMONDE |date=23 October 2012 }}, [[France 24]], 14 May 2008.</ref> The bicycle sellers said that the bombers spoke [[Bengali language]], adding credibility to police claims that the terrorists might be Bangladeshis. A police official said,

:The employees [of the bicycle shop] have told us that they did not look like Rajasthanis and spoke in broken Hindi. In fact they were speaking Bengali, which has again given rise to speculation that the militants were from a Bangladeshi outfit.<ref name="Makkar"/>

On 14 May, the Indian police released a sketch of a suspect.<ref>"[http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080049867 Jaipur blasts suspect's sketch released]" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517115946/http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080049867 |date=17 May 2008 }}, [[NDTV|NDTV.com]], 14 May 2008.</ref> A day later, the police released sketches of three additional suspects.<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20080516233844/http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/FullcoverageStoryPage.aspx?id=3ed4bbd6-207c-4314-b80d-9c83e1f9e563TerrorstrikesJaipur_Special&&Headline=Rajasthan+police+release+sketches+of+four+suspects Sketches of 4 suspects released]", ''[[Hindustan Times]]'', 15 May 2008.</ref> A shop owner in [[Udaipur]] claimed he saw one of the suspects a few days back.<ref>"[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Man_claims_he_saw_Jaipur_blasts_suspect/articleshow/3045645.cms Jaipur blasts: Man claims to have seen suspect]", ''[[The Times of India]]'', 16 May 2008.</ref>

===Claim of responsibility===
A little-known group ''Indian Mujahideen'' claimed responsibility for the attacks and sent a video to ''[[Aaj Tak]]'' via e-mail supposedly featuring the bicycles wrapped with explosives used during the terror attacks. The address from which the e-mail was sent and a serial number on one of the bicycles was identified.<ref name = "IndiaToday-video"/><ref>"[https://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSSP100897 Indian group claims responsibility for India bombings]", [[Reuters]], 14 May 2008.</ref> Police officials confirmed that the bicycle used in Choti Choupad blast had the same serial number. However, Rajasthan Chief Minister [[Vasundhara Raje]] also suggested that a secondary objective of the e-mail could be to mislead the investigating authorities.<ref name="Raje">"[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/We_are_in_the_middle_of_war_says_Raje/articleshow/3043992.cms We are in the middle of war, says Raje]", ''[[The Times of India]]'', 16 May 2008.</ref>

In the e-mail, the group threatened an "open war against India" unless it stops supporting the [[United States]] and [[United Kingdom]] on "international issues".<ref>"[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/We_did_it_terror_outfit_brags_in_video/articleshow/3040912.cms We did it, terror outfit brags in video]", [[The Times of India]], 15 May 2008.</ref> It also said that it would "demolish [[Hinduism|the faith]] [of the] infidels of India".<ref name = "TheAustralian-expel"/>

=== Convictions ===
On 20 December 2019, a Special Court in Jaipur convicted four for the bombings and gave them the death penalty while one was acquitted for lack of evidence.<ref name=":0" /> The four are Mohammed Saif, Mohammed Sarwar Azmi, Saifur Rehman and Mohammed Salman.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/jaipur-bomb-blast-2008-all-4-convicts-sentenced-to-death-1630138-2019-12-20|title=Jaipur bomb blast 2008: All 4 convicts sentenced to death|last=Wadhawan|first=Dev Ankur|date=20 December 2019|website=India Today|access-date=2019-12-20}}</ref> On April 8, 2025, a court in Jaipur sentenced four individuals to life imprisonment for their role in the case.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-04-08 |title=2008 Jaipur bomb blast case: All four accused sentenced to life imprisonment |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/2008-jaipur-bomb-blast-case-court-sentences-life-imprisonment-to-all-four-accused/articleshow/120092149.cms |access-date=2025-04-08 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> However, in March 2023, all four were acquitted of the charges by the Rajasthan High Court.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-29 |title=2008 Jaipur blasts: Rajasthan HC acquits all four who got death penalty |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/jaipur/2008-jaipur-bomb-blasts-rajasthan-hc-acquits-accused-death-penalty-2019-8526447/ |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

===Domestic reactions===
{{Quote box
| quote = '''"This is not a crime, we are in the middle of a war."'''
| source = [[Vasundhara Raje]], Rajasthan Chief Minister<ref name="Raje"/>
}}

The [[President of India]], [[Pratibha Patil]] expressed her grief at the loss of lives in the blasts and appealed for calm while the [[Prime Minister of India]], [[Manmohan Singh]], pledged the [[Government of India]]'s support to the state [[Government of Rajasthan]] and the victims' families.<ref name="bloomberg1">[https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=aW99s_EjB2Nc&refer=asia Indian Police Probe Blasts After 60 Killed in Jaipur (Update1)], [[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]], 14 May 2008.</ref> The Prime Minister also said:

<blockquote>The terrorists have the advantage of attacking by stealth but there is no lack of firmness in dealing with this menace. All possible precautions are being taken. It would be premature on my part to comment anything as it will interfere with the investigations.<ref name="discord">"[https://web.archive.org/web/20080517214046/http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/15/stories/2008051560421200.htm Blasts aimed at creating communal discord: PM]", ''[[The Hindu]]'', 15 May 2008.</ref></blockquote>

Singh also defended the Government's intelligence mechanisms saying the number of cases that the intelligence agencies had anticipated and prevented was "significant".<ref>"[http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/No-link-between-POTA-repeal-and-terror-strikes--PM/309954/ No link between POTA repeal and terror strikes: PM]" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517235450/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/No-link-between-POTA-repeal-and-terror-strikes--PM/309954/ |date=17 May 2008 }}, ''[[The Indian Express|Express India]]'', 15 May 2008.</ref> He observed:

<blockquote>There are many cases where security agencies have foiled attempts. Many cases were anticipated. I don't want to talk about what they were able to prevent.<ref name="discord"/></blockquote>

Indian Home Minister, [[Shivraj Patil]], conveyed his condolences to the victims' families.<ref>"[http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEH20080513185000&Page=H&Title=Top+Stories&Topic=-536 Shivraj Patil condemns Jaipur blasts]" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517224116/http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEH20080513185000&Page=H&Title=Top+Stories&Topic=-536 |date=17 May 2008 }}, ''[[The New Indian Express]]'', 14 May 2008.</ref> The Government of India announced 100,000 [[Indian rupee|INR]] compensation to the next kin of those dead in the terrorist attacks and 50,000 INR ''ex gratia'' to those seriously injured.<ref>"[http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080049794 Jaipur blast: Rs 1 lakh ex-gratia announced, curfew on]" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516033827/http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080049794 |date=16 May 2008 }}, [[NDTV|NDTV.com]], 14 May 2008.</ref> An emergency meeting of Indian cabinet ministers was also held later during the day.<ref>Ramesh, Randeep. "[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/may/14/india1 Jaipur curfew imposed as bombings toll passes 80]", [[The Guardian]], 14 May 2008.</ref> [[Foreign Minister of India]], [[Pranab Mukherjee]], said he was going to raise the issue of '[[cross-border terrorism]]' with Pakistan's government during his visit to [[Islamabad]] next week.<ref>Herman, Steve. "[http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-05-14-voa19.cfm Jaipur Blasts Demonstrate Continuing Indian Vulnerability to Terrorist Attacks]" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517053417/http://voanews.com/english/2008-05-14-voa19.cfm |date=17 May 2008 }}, [[VOA News]], 14 May 2008.</ref> Indian Finance Minister, [[P. Chidambaram]], said that the blasts won't affect India's business climate.<ref>"[http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/0/32C30FC59A2728C165257449004BCC5A?OpenDocument Blasts in Jaipur not to affect investment climate: FM]", [[Press Trust of India]], 14 May 2008.</ref> India's National Security Advisor, [[M.K. Narayanan]], said that the intelligence agencies were looking into all possible aspects of the blasts and no major breakthrough in ongoing investigations were made.<ref>"[http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=443256&sid=nat No credible leads in Jaipur blasts: NSA]", [[Zee News]], 17 May 2008.</ref>

The Chief Minister of Rajasthan, [[Vasundhara Raje]], said "I condemn this blast. They have tried to ruin the communal harmony of the state but they will not succeed. Never in the history of Rajasthan such a heinous incident has happened and this is not an attack on the state but on the nation". She also added, "there are some slender leads on which the state agencies are working and its difficult to name any terror outfit at present". The Chief Minister also laid emphasis on a new anti-terror legislation either similar to [[Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2002|POTA]] or to the one in the neighbouring state of [[Gujarat]]. She also criticised the President of India for not signing an anti-terror bill passed by the [[Rajasthan Legislative Assembly]] in 2006.<ref>"[http://www.ibnlive.com/news/get-gujaratlike-law-to-tackle-terror-raje/65256-3.html Raje talks tough, says revive POTA]", [[CNN-IBN|IBN Live]], 14 May 2008.</ref> Raje also expressed her concern that the terrorist attacks in Jaipur will negatively affect the tourism industry there.<ref>"[http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1164365 Terror attacks will hit tourism: Raje]", [[Daily News and Analysis]], 14 May 2008.</ref> The Chief Minister also said that Rajasthan will have its own anti-terror force and also proposed a joint task force between Indian states.<ref>"[http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200805152069.htm Rajasthan to have anti-terror force: Raje]", [[The Hindu]], 15 May 2008.</ref>

India's main opposition party, the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP), blamed the [[United Progressive Alliance]] (UPA)-government for not taking adequate measures against [[terrorism in India]] and re-newed calls for [[Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2002|POTA]] were made.<ref>Srivastava, Rishabh. "[http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=134004 Terrorism: Indian government caught napping]{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}", Merinews, 14 May 2008.</ref> The BJP also demanded that Pakistan's [[Inter-Services Intelligence]] should be on international terror watch-list.<ref>"[http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/politics/put-isi-on-international-watch-list-bjp_10049122.html Put ISI on international watch list: BJP] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517213142/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/politics/put-isi-on-international-watch-list-bjp_10049122.html |date=17 May 2008 }}", Thaindian News, 15 May 2008.</ref> India's [[Leader of the Opposition (India)|Leader of Opposition]], [[L. K. Advani]], said "The blasts are reflective of the states' inability to preempt these strikes."<ref>Chaubey, Bhupendra. "[http://www.ibnlive.com/news/blame-game-politics-over-jaipur-blasts-begin/65286-3.html Blame game, politics over Jaipur blasts begin]", [[CNN-IBN|IBN Live]], 15 May 2008.</ref> Gujarat Chief Minister [[Narendra Modi]] accused the UPA government of adopting double standards on terrorism and said, "The UPA-led government at the Centre should make the people realise that it is committed to curb terrorism spreading in our country."<ref>"[http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Modi-accuses-Centre-of-adopting-double-standards-on-terrorism/309910/ Modi accuses Centre of adopting double standards on terrorism]" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517235445/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Modi-accuses-Centre-of-adopting-double-standards-on-terrorism/309910/ |date=17 May 2008 }}, ''[[The Indian Express|Express India]]'', 15 May 2008.</ref>

===Effect on IPL===
The [[Indian Premier League]] (IPL) donated [[Indian Rupee|Rs.]] 60 million ([[US$]]1.4 million) to the Chief Minister relief fund. Each of the eight IPL teams donated 5 million INR while each of the five official sponsors donated an additional 4 million INR.<ref>"[http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k8/may/may208.php IPL to donate Rs 60 million towards Jaipur blast victims]", [[Indiantelevision.com]], 17 May 2008.</ref> Jaipur's local IPL team, [[Rajasthan Royals]], demanded extra security,<ref>Baynes, Dan. "[https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601081&sid=aFuCICRIiqQk&refer=australia Warne, IPL Teammates Seek Jaipur Blast Assurances, ABC Reports]", [[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]], 15 May 2008.</ref> to which IPL management agreed.<ref>"[http://www.cricket365.com/story/0,18305,14335_3576428,00.html Yet Another Triumph For Jaipur]"{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, [[365 Media Group]], 17 May 2008.</ref> All the IPL matches scheduled for Jaipur were temporarily put on hold but IPL Chairman, [[Lalit Modi]], confirmed that Jaipur would host the Rajasthan Royals' match on Saturday.<ref>Brock, Dominic. "[http://livenews.com.au/Articles/2008/05/15/Warne_Watson_to_leave_IPL_after_bombings Warne, Watson could leave IPL after bombings]" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517233137/http://www.livenews.com.au/Articles/2008/05/15/Warne_Watson_to_leave_IPL_after_bombings |date=17 May 2008 }}, [[Macquarie National News]], 15 May 2008.</ref> Modi also said that carry-on bags were banned at all venues where the IPL matches are to be played.<ref>"[http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Indl_Goods__Svs/Paper__Wood__Glass_Plastic_Marbles/Carry-bags_banned_at_all_IPL_matches/articleshow/3040062.cms Carry-bags banned at all IPL matches]", [[The Economic Times]], 14 May 2008.</ref>

==See also==
* [[2008 Ahmedabad bombings]]
* [[Bangalore bombings]]
* [[List of terrorist incidents in 2008]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{War on Terrorism}}
{{Islamic terrorism in Asia}}
[[Category:2000s in Rajasthan]]
[[Category:2008 building bombings]]
[[Category:21st-century mass murders in India]]
[[Category:Attacks on police stations in 2008]]
[[Category:Attacks on police stations in India]]
[[Category:Attacks on tourists in India]]
[[Category:Building bombings in India]]
[[Category:Crime in Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Indian Mujahideen attacks]]
[[Category:Islamic terrorism in India]]
[[Category:Islamic terrorist incidents in 2008]]
[[Category:2008 mass murders]]
[[Category:May 2008 crimes in Asia]]
[[Category:May 2008 in India]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents in India in 2008]]

Jaipur bombings - Revision history

Amit raj at 06:59, 23 February 2026