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BREAKING: Series of Blasts Reported on Indian Commuter Trains

7/11 Blasts

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 Indian and other 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. Wire service, military, and emergency service agencies contributed to this report.

Additional reference, Mumbai Explosions

* 03/1/93-0600CST -- INDIAN BOMBINGS CAUSED BY "FOREIGN EXTREMISTS", ACCORDING TO POLICE, can be found at: http://www.emergency.com/bombay.htm

* Crisis in Kashmir: 2001-2002, Series of EmergencyNet News "Real-Time" Reports Concerning Escalating Tensions Between Pakistan and India -- 13 Dec 2001 to 19 Jan 2002, can be found at: http://www.emergency.com/2001/crisis_in_kashmir2001.htm

Series of "Real-Time" Reports Concerning Multiple Train Bombings Madrid, Spain, 11 March 2004, can be found at: http://www.emergency.com/2004/Madrid_bmb031104.htm

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