2006 Malegaon bombings: Difference between revisions

|title=20062008 Malegaon bombings

|date=8 September 20062008

|fatalities=4045

}}{{Violence against Muslims in independent India}}

The '''2006 Malegaon bombings''' took place on 8 September 2006 in [[Malegaon]], a town in the [[Nashik]] district of the [[India]]n [[States of India|state]] of [[Maharashtra]], 290&nbsp;km northeast of [[Mumbai]]. The Maharashtra [[Anti-Terrorism Squad]] (ATS) initially blamed the bombings on the [[Students Islamic Movement of India]] (SIMI), but in a [[chargesheet]] filed in 2013 the NIA and ATS ([[Anti-Terrorism Squad]]) joint investigation and involved evidences pointed towards involvement of an extremist group [[Abhinav Bharat]] inand thePragya Thakur, who were later released from charges due to saidlack bombingsof evidence.<ref name=red>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/report/-malegaon-blasts-9-accused-set-to-walk-free/20130829.htm|title=20062008 Malegaon blasts: 9 accused set to walk free|website=Rediff}}</ref><ref name="toi">{{cite news |date=14 May 2016 |title=Malegaon blasts: Now NIA says Maharashtra ATS planted RDX to frame Lt Col Purohit |url=httphttps://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-05-13/india/39227378_1_kalsangramalegaon-andblasts-sharmain-dhana-singh-seniorturnaround-nia-official |archivesays-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629053630/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013maharashtra-05anti-13/india/39227378_1_kalsangraterror-andsquad-sharmaplanted-dhanrdx-singhto-seniorframe-nialt-official |urlcol-status=deadpurohit/articleshow/52262487.cms |archiveaccess-date=2910 JuneMay 20132024 |title=NIA to nail Hindu radicals in Malegaon chargesheet|date= 13 May 2013|work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=28 September 2013}}</ref>

The explosions - which resulted in at least 4045 fatalities and 125 injuries -, took place in a [[Islam|Muslim]] cemetery, adjacent to a [[mosque]], at around 13:15 [[Indian Standard Time|local time]] after [[Salat|Friday prayers]] on the holy day of [[Mid-Sha'ban|Shab e Bara'at]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/31-killed-100-injured-in-malegaon-blasts/article3072993.ece|title=31 killed, 100 injured in Malegaon blasts|newspaper=The Hindu |date=8 September 20062008|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> Most of the blast victims were Muslim pilgrims. Security forces spoke of "two bombs attached to bicycles," but other reports indicated that three devices had exploded. A stampede ensued after the devices exploded. A [[curfew]] was imposed in the town and state paramilitary forces were deployed in sensitive areas to prevent unrest.

* [[Chief Minister of Maharashtra|Maharashtra Chief Minister]] [[Vilasrao Deshmukh]] promised compensation payments of [[Indian rupee|Rs]] 1,00100,000 (approx. [[Euro|€]]1200 or [[United States dollar|US$]]1500 at the time) to the next-of-kin of the deceased.{{citation needed|date=September 2013}}

* [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Manmohan Singh]] condemned the blasts and appealed for calm.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1790439,000900040001.htm|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070205080739/http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1790439%2C000900040001.htm|url-status=dead|title=Blasts rock Malegaon 38 killed, over 100 injured 'Hindustan Times'|archivedatearchive-date=5 February 2007}}</ref>

* [[Indian National Congress|Congress party]] president [[Sonia Gandhi]] has called on Indians to maintain calm.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gandhi Calls on Indians to Maintain Calm ''Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/20062008/09/09/AR2006090900763.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107181307/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/20062008/09/09/AR2006090900763.html |archive-date=7 November 2012 |url-status=live |access-date=21 March 2009 |first=Aftab |last=Khan |date=9 September 20062008 |df=dmy }}</ref>

* A home ministry official in Delhi said central security forces, including personnel from the anti-riot [[Rapid Action Force]], were sent to Malegaon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=73608|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120923023337/http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=73608|url-status=dead|title=Centre rushing additional forces to Malegaon ''Indian Express''|archivedatearchive-date=23 September 2012}}</ref>

* There were episodes of violence when Muslims in Malegaon attacked police and their vehicles following the blasts.<ref name="Indian town seething with anger">{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5330832.stm | work=BBC News | title=Indian town seething with anger | date=9 September 20062008}}</ref>

* Various Muslim leaders have denounced the bombings and prayed for peace.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929135850/http://www.ndtv.com/template/template.asp?template=malegaonblasts&slug=Religious%20leaders%20pray%20for%20peace&id=92926&callid=1&category=National|url-status=dead|title=NDTV.com|archivedatearchive-date=29 September 2007|website=www.ndtv.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,20384569-1702,00.html|title=National Religious leaders pray for peace}}</ref> In particular, Muslims in the state of [[Gujarat]] demonstrated against [[Pakistan]] for its alleged involvement in the blasts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/gujarat-muslims-hold-antipak-protests/21052-3.html |title=Gujarat Muslims hold anti-Pak rally ''IBN'' |publisher=Ibnlive.com |date=9 September 20062008 |access-date=28 September 2013}}</ref>

* US ambassador [[David Mulford]] said he was "shocked and saddened by the brutal terrorist bombings" and that the US stood "with India in its fight against terrorism".<ref>{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5326730.stm | work=BBC News | title=Blasts kill 37 in India graveyard | date=8 September 20062008}}</ref>

On 30 October, the first arrest is made of Noor-Ul-Huda, an activist of the [[Students Islamic Movement of India]].<ref name="indiatimes1">{{cite news|title=Malegaon blasts: SIMI activist held |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/239612.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207004102/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/239612.cms |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 December 2008 |newspaper=The Times of India |date=30 October 2006 |access-date=16 September 2006 }}</ref> The DGP of Mumbai, said that the two other suspects are Shabeer Batterywala and Raees Ahmad. On 6 November it was reported that the prime conspirator Shabbir Batterywala is an operative of [[Lashkar-e-Toiba]] (LeT) and the co-conspirator is Raees Ahmad of [[Students Islamic Movement of India|SIMI]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-11-06/india/27797262_1_malegaon-blasts-malegaon-case-anti-terrorism-squad |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104004503/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-11-06/india/27797262_1_malegaon-blasts-malegaon-case-anti-terrorism-squad |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 November 2012 |title=Police arrest Malegaon blasts 'conspirator'|date=6 November 2006 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=28 September 2013}}</ref>

The Maharashtra police initially suspected [[Bajrang Dal]], the [[Lashkar-e-Toiba]] or the [[Jaish-e-Mohammed]] of involvement in the attacks. No evidence was released against any of these groups,<ref>{{cite news|author=Prafulla Marpakwar |date=10 September 2006 |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-09-10/india/27794973_1_nanded-blast-malegaon-blasts-bajrang |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105055352/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-09-10/india/27794973_1_nanded-blast-malegaon-blasts-bajrang |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 November 2012 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |title=No evidence of Bajrang involvement |access-date=28 September 2013}}</ref> though the police claimed on 13 October to have identified the perpetrators.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=75502|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730170715/http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=75502|archive-date=2012-07-30|title=Perpetrators of Malegaon Blasts identified}}</ref> Lashkar-e-Toiba has had contacts with the controversial [[Students Islamic Movement of India]] in the region before.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/jandk/terrorist_outfits/lashkar_e_toiba.htm|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100125092952/http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/jandk/terrorist_outfits/lashkar_e_toiba.htm|url-status=dead|title=Lashkar-e-Taiba &#124; let &#124; LET|archivedatearchive-date=25 January 2010|website=www.satp.org}}</ref> Police are also suspecting [[Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami]] in the attacks.<ref>{{cite news|date=9 September 2006 |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-09-09/india/27825421_1_malegaon-blasts-serial-blasts-anti-terrorism-squad |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308234552/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-09-09/india/27825421_1_malegaon-blasts-serial-blasts-anti-terrorism-squad |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 March 2012 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |title=Malegaon blasts: Is it Bajrang or Lashkar? |access-date=28 September 2013}}</ref> On 10 September, police sources said that the methods used are similar to attacks on mosques earlier in 2006 for which 16 [[Bajrang Dal]] activists, allegedly part of a "fringe group" of the organization, were arrested but not charged.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1052080 |title=DNA India |publisher=Dnaindia.com |access-date=28 September 2013}}</ref> Accused were Pragya Thakur and Abhinav Bharat.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/sadhvi-pragya-thakur-digvijaya-singh-bjp-bhopal-lok-sabha-elections-malegaon-case-ajmer-dargah-blast-5681180/|title=Explained: The case against BJP candidate Sadhvi Pragya Thakur|date=20 April 2019|website=The Indian Express|language=en-IN|access-date=2019-04-29}}</ref>

In May 2006, police recovered a cache of [[RDX]] explosives and automatic rifles from the region based on information they said was provided by arrested extremist Islamists.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/|title=Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera|website=www.aljazeera.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/09/08/india.blast.reut/index.html|title=Police Recover Cache of RDX explosives|website=[[CNN]] }}</ref> The arrested were former members of the [[Students Islamic Movement of India]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926230208/http://www.ndtv.com/homepage/malegaon.asp|url-status=dead|title=NDTV.com|archivedatearchive-date=26 September 2007|website=www.ndtv.com}}</ref>

In the September 2006 incident, police investigations have determined that the explosives contained in these bombings were "a cocktail of [[RDX]], [[ammonium nitrate]] and fuel oil – the same mixture used in 7/11",<ref>{{cite news| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-09-12/india/27800611_1_malegaon-blasts-p-k-jain-maharashtra-town | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105055424/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-09-12/india/27800611_1_malegaon-blasts-p-k-jain-maharashtra-town | url-status=dead | archive-date=5 November 2012 | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=Malegaon, 7/11: Same Lethal cocktail used | date=12 September 2006}}</ref> referring to the [[11 July 2006 Mumbai train bombings]], a terrorist incident for which several Islamist groups are suspects. Since the investigation was still under way, Nasik Superintendent of Police Rajvardhan declined to give details, saying: "We can't say anything till we get reports from all the agencies".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=73746|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927193055/http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=73746|url-status=dead|title=''Indian Express''|archivedatearchive-date=27 September 2007}}</ref>

However, the [[Anti Terrorist Squad (India)|Anti TerrorisTerrorist Squad]] has prima facie ruled out the involvement of Hindu Nationalist groups like the [[Bajrang Dal]] in the Malegaon blasts citing two reasons:

# [[Bajrang Dal]] activists so far have only used crude bombs, nothing as sophisticated as the ones in Malegaon.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-09-12/india/27800611_1_malegaon-blasts-p-k-jain-maharashtra-town |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105055424/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-09-12/india/27800611_1_malegaon-blasts-p-k-jain-maharashtra-town |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 November 2012 |title=Malegaon, 7/11: Same Lethal cocktail used |date=12 September 2006 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=28 September 2013}}</ref>

On 28 November 2006, Mumbai police stated that two Pakistani nationals were involved in the explosions. "We have successfully detected the Malegaon blasts case. We are, however, on the lookout for eight more suspects in the case," said DGP PS Pasricha. The Anti-Terrorism Squad probing into the case has already arrested eight suspects, including two booked in the 11 July Mumbai serial blasts, in connection with four explosions that rocked the town killing 31 people and injuring more than 200.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/610189.cms | work=The Times of India | title=Police crack Malegaon serial blasts case, spot SIMI hand- Politics/Nation-News-The Economic Times | date=28 November 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14339007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930221248/http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14339007|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-09-30|title=PageSIMI behind Malegaon blasts: NotPolice Found| website=[[Sify]] }}</ref>

On 16 November 2011, seven of the accused in the Malegaon blasts were released on bail after five years of detention in jail.<ref>{{cite web|title=Malegaon: Seven accused released on bail|url=http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=390202&catid=36|publisher=The Statesman|date=16 November 2011 |access-date=17 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614103816/http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=390202&catid=36 |archive-date=14 June 2012 }}</ref>

On 25 April 2016, the [[Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act]] (MCOCA) court dismissed all charges against the eight Muslim men initially arrested by the Maharashtra [[Anti Terrorist Squad (India)|Anti-Terrorist Squad]] in 2006. The men has spent five years in jail before being released on bail in 2011.<ref name="NDTV">{{cite news|last1=Mehta|first1=Tejas|title=Malegaon Blast: After 5 Years in Jail, Charges Dropped Against 8 Muslim Men|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/charges-dropped-against-8-muslim-men-accused-in-malegaon-blast-case-1399182|access-date=25 April 2016|publisher=[[NDTV]]|date=25 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Nandgaonkar|first1=Satish|title=Eight accused in 2006 Malegaon blasts case discharged|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/2006-malegaon-blasts-case-accused-disharged/article8519574.ece|access-date=25 April 2016|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=25 April 2016}}</ref>

* [http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/4C33FB54-5D63-465A-8E33-4C877EAE44D4.htm Aljazeera news article]{{dead link|date=SeptemberMay 20222023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

[[Category:Improvised2006 explosive devicebuilding bombings in India]]

[[Category:HateHindu crimesterrorist incidents]]