INDIAN TRAIN BOMBINGS UPDATE

MUMBAI, INDIA: Seven explosions within an 11-minute period killed at least 174 people on crowded commuter trains and stations Tuesday evening in the Indian financial  capital of Mumbai, authorities reported.

The official death toll late Tuesday was 174 dead and 464 injured, but authorities have cautioned the media that the final toll may be higher.

All seven blasts occurred between 6.24pm  and 6.35pm (12.54pm and 1.05pm GMT).  Analysts are comparing the attack with the mass transit bombings in Madrid in  2004 and London last year, saying they all involved a series of multiple blasts and were well-coordinated...

U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Press Release
July 11, 2006
Contact: DHS Press Office, 202-282-8010

Statement by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on THE Bombings in Mumbai

The Department of Homeland Security is closely monitoring the bombings in Mumbai, India, as is the rest of the federal government. At this time, there is no specific or credible intelligence suggesting an imminent threat to the homeland or our transit systems. There are no plans to raise the nation’s threat level as a result of this atrocious act. We will work with individual transit agencies that may choose to increase their vigilance, as a matter of prudence, at this time. More generally, we continue to strengthen mass transit security throughout the country.


We offer our deepest sympathies and condolences to the victims and people of India. America will continue to stand with India in the war against terror.

WARDEN MESSAGE: MUMBAI BOMBINGS

July 11, 2006

U.S. Consulate General Mumbai released the following Warden Message on July 11, 2006:

A series of explosions occurred in Mumbai on the western commuter railway line early this evening. At least 7 bombs exploded on crowded trains in Khar, Matunga, Mahim, Santa Cruz, Jogeshwari, Borivili and Bhayendar railway stations. Early reports have put the number of deaths at 100 or higher. More than 200 are reported injured. The bombings have followed a similar pattern to earlier terror attacks, in which a series of bombs exploded in crowded spaces apparently timed to occur at the busiest time of day.

News reports of the attacks are very preliminary and it is difficult to obtain accurate information about the extent of damage and injuries at this time. American citizens traveling throughout India should exercise extreme caution when traveling right now. Americans should exercise particular caution on trains, buses, or other forms of mass transit. Americans should also be wary of any unattended packages or other suspicious-looking items.

Although there is no indication so far that the attacks targeted Americans, the American Consulate General advises that Americans avoid crowds and demonstrations and exercise caution in areas where Americans and other expatriates generally congregate. As always, U.S. citizens are encouraged to monitor the local news, maintain a high level of vigilance, and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.

The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and the U.S. Consulates General in Mumbai, Chennai and Calcutta are available for emergency services 24 hours a day.

Please see the Embassy/Consulate websites for more information (see below).

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and other Public Announcements can be found.

Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling

1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Americans are also encouraged to read the Consular Information Sheet for India, available on the Embassy's website at http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov, and also at http://travel.state.gov.

U.S. citizens may contact the American Citizens Services Units of the Embassy or the Consulates General for further information:

-- The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi is located at Shanti Path, Chanakya Puri 110021; telephone +91-11-2419-8000; fax +91-11-2419-8407. The Embassy's Internet home page address is http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov.

-- The U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai (Bombay) is located at Lincoln House, 78, Bhulabhai Desai Road, 400026, telephone +91-22-2363-3611; fax +91-22-2363-0350. The Consulate's Internet home page address is http://mumbai.usconsulate.gov.

-- The U.S. Consulate General in Calcutta (Kolkata) is at 5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, 700071; telephone +91-33-2282-3611 through 2282-3615; fax +91-33-2282-2335. The Consulate's Internet home page address is http://calcutta.usconsulate.gov.

-- The U.S. Consulate General in Chennai (Madras) is at 220 Anna Salai, Gemini Circle, 600006, telephone +91-44-2811-2000; fax +91-44-2811-2027. The Consulate's Internet home page address is http://chennai.usconsulate.gov.

http://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=49845

Suspects?

Lashkar-e-Taiba (LET) and Jaish-e-Muhammad (JEM) -- are dedicated to disrupting Indian rule in Kashmir and were accused of plotting the 13 December attack on the Indian Parliament in New Delhi that claimed 14 lives.

Crisis in Kashmir: 2001-2002

http://www.emergency.com/2001/crisis_in_kashmir2001.htm

Initial EmergencyNet News *FLASH* Report
10:15CDT - 11 Jul 06

Series of Blasts Reported on Indian Commuter Trains

From the ERRI/EmergencyNet News Global Watchdesk

By C. L. Staten, Senior National Security Analyst

BOMBAY(MUMBAI), INDIA: In an incident that appears to be a repeat of the Madrid train bombings, seven explosions rocked Bombay's (Mumbai's) commuter rail network during Tuesday evening rush hour, ripping apart multiple trains.

The first blast went off at about 18:30 local time (13:00GMT), during the peak of the evening rush hour in the suburbs on the busy Western Railway.

Officials also said the government is calling it a "terrorist incident."

A senior Bombay police official, P.S. Pasricha, said the explosions were part of a "well-coordinated attack." The country's home minister told Indian television that authorities had information that an attack was coming but did not know the time or place.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombings, but the blasts came in quick succession a common tactic employed by Al-Qaeda and other "jihadist" militants that have repeatedly targeted India's cities.

Witnesses reported seeing body parts strewn about stations, and Indian television news channels broadcast footage of bystanders carrying victims to waiting ambulances. The exact number of the stricken is not presently known.

Bombay's police chief said as many as 100 people are feared dead. Sadly, some rescue authorities said that the toll of dead and injured may yet rise as rescue operations continue. "We are busy in the rescue operation. Our first priority is to rescue the injured people," Bombay Police Chief A.N. Roy said.

EmergencyNet News is monitoring the rescue operations and investigation in Mumbai and we will bring you additional official details as they become available.