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2013 Hyderabad blasts

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On 21 February 2013, at around 19:00 IST, two blasts occurred in the city of Hyderabad, India. The bombs exploded in Dilsukhnagar, a crowded shopping area,[3] within 100 metres (330 ft) of each other.[4][5] The first explosion occurred outside a roadside eatery named A1 Mirchi, next to the Anand Tiffin Centre and opposite the Konark movie hall, followed by the second one two minutes later near the Route 107 bus stand close to the Venkatadri theatre.[6][7][8] In December 2016, Yasin Bhatkal - the co-founder of Indian Mujahideen, Pakistani national Zia-ur-Rahman, Asadullah Akhtar (who had been arrested with Bhatkal in 2013), Tahaseen Akhtar, and Ajaz Shaikh were sentenced to death by a National Investigation Agency special court (in Cherlapally Central Jail) for carrying out the attacks under the Arms Act, Explosive Substances Act and Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.[2]

2013 Hyderabad bombings
Place
Dilsukhnagar, Hyderabad is located in Telangana
Dilsukhnagar, Hyderabad
Dilsukhnagar, Hyderabad
class=notpageimage|
Location of Dilsukhnagar in Telangana. Inset shows Telangana in India.
LocationDilsukhnagar,
Hyderabad, India
Coordinates17°21′36″N 78°28′24″E / 17.360106°N 78.473427°E / 17.360106; 78.473427
Date21 February 2013
18:58 and 19:01 (IST (UTC+5.30))
Attack type
Serial blast
WeaponsImprovised explosive devices[1]
Deaths18[2]
Injured131[2]
PerpetratorsIndian Mujahideen
Convicted
  • Yasin Bhatkal
  • Zia-ur-Rahman alias Waqas
  • Asadullah Akhtar alias Haddi
  • Tahaseen Akhtar alias Monu
  • Ajaz Shaikh
VerdictDeath penalty[2]
ConvictionsWaging war against nation, criminal conspiracy and murder[2]
ChargesArms Act, Explosive Substances Act and Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act[2]

Bombings

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Destroyed bus shelter due to the first blast

The first bomb went off at Anand Tiffins, located opposite Konark Theatre at around 19:02 IST (UTC+05:30). The second bomb went off at 19:06 IST between Venkatadri Theatre and Dilsukhnagar Bus Stand.[9] According to the Hyderabad Police, the bombs were placed on bicycles.[10] Andhra Pradesh's Director General of Police noted that Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) had been used in the two blasts to cause maximum damage.[1] The blasts killed 18 people, which included at least three college students[11] and at least 119 injured.[12]

Investigation

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A team of forensic experts from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the National Security Guard (NSG) arrived in Hyderabad on a plane provided by the Border Security Force (BSF)[13] for further investigation.[14] Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde claimed that the Indian government had intelligence about possible blasts, but the information wasn't specific enough to pinpoint the location of the blast site.[15] Shinde also said that authorities had received intelligence about possible attacks in the country but no specific information as to where or when they might occur.[16]

CNN-IBN reported that an Indian Mujahideen operative named Maqbool confessed to carrying out reconnaissance of Dilsukhnagar in 2012 during interrogation by Delhi Police.[17][18] Initial reports also suggested the involvement of Indian Mujahideen in the blasts.[19] On 22 February, two First Information Reports (FIR) were lodged probing the attack. One FIR was lodged at Cyberabads Saroor police station, while the second was lodged in Hyderabad.[20]

As the Hyderabad Police continued investigating in the serial blasts case, they detained six people for questioning. The NIA conducted raids at various places in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra, looking for alleged terror modules. Forensic investigation revealed that the two bombs used were packed with huge amounts of iron nails and bolts and ammonium nitrate, which were held together with a copper string.[21] Closed-circuit television footage collected from the traffic signal near the blast site revealed movements of five men who allegedly had planted explosives at the blast sites. However, the faces of the suspects were not clearly seen.[22][23]

Police sources later said that a Sai Baba temple in the area was the initial target of the criminal activity. However, a visit by Hyderabad police commissioner Anurag Sharma eluded them and forced them to change their target.[24] The Andhra Pradesh government claimed that it had obtained vital clues regarding the crime and would crack the case soon. Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy sent out 15 special teams of Andhra Pradesh police, consisting of 10–15 personnel each. People lodged in the Chanchalguda Central Jail were also questioned regarding the blasts.[25]

Response

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Major cities in India like Mumbai, New Delhi and Bangalore,[26] along with states like Gujarat,[27] Maharashtra[13] and West Bengal[28] were put on high alert after the blasts.[29] The police of Andhra Pradesh were confronted with massive traffic jams when they tried to implement relief and rescue operations.[30] Home secretary R. K. Singh stated that officials from the National Investigation Agency were shifted from Delhi to Hyderabad.[31]

Reactions

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Domestic

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President Pranab Mukherjee offered condolences to the bereaved families and condemned the blasts as "acts of cowardice".[32] Prime Minister Manmohan Singh consoled the next of kin of those killed and seriously injured.[33] The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Kiran Kumar Reddy, announced a compensation of ₹600,000 (US$7,200) to the next of kin of those killed in the blasts and promised to bear the medical expenses of the injured.[13] Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde visited the blast site on the morning of 22 February and said that an investigation had been launched by a probe team appointed by the Andhra Pradesh government.[23]

On the next day, speaking in the Lok Sabha, Leader of the opposition and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sushma Swaraj said political parties must fight non-state terror unitedly while calling out the central and Andhra Pradesh governments for their failure to prevent the twin explosions. "The nation needs to be united, the political parties need to get united. The moment that happens, we will be capable of fighting terror,"[34] She controversially linked the twin blasts with a provocative speech made earlier by Akbaruddin Owaisi stating "Do these blasts have a connection with the provocative speeches made by an honourable member of this house?" which Asaduddin Owaisi (his brother) described as "unfortunate" and "irresponsible".[35] The spokesperson for Bharatiya Janta Party Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "Several innocent lives have been lost in the Hyderabad blasts. The government should stop playing politics on the issue of terrorism. We want the government to take appropriate action. There should be better coordination between the Centre and the state governments. [..]This government should rise above vote-bank politics."[36][37]

International

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  •   United Nations – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued a statement that condemned the attack and offered his condolences to the families of the victims. "The Secretary-General strongly condemns the indiscriminate attacks against civilians which occurred in the Indian city of Hyderabad."[38]
  •   Australia – In a statement released through the Australian High Commission in New Delhi, Canberra said: "The government and people of Australia express their condolences and sympathy for victims of the bomb attacks in Hyderabad, India, on February 21. Australia condemns all acts of terrorism. These bombs appear to have been directed at innocent people, going about their daily business. Foreign Minister Bob Carr said he will be writing to India's Foreign Minister, Salman Khurshid, to express his support for India's efforts to prevent terrorist attacks," the statement added. "Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those killed or wounded," Senator Carr said.[39]
  •   United States – The United States of America condemned the "cowardly attack" saying that it stood with India in battling the "scourge of terrorism" and offered its assistance in probing the incident. Secretary of State John Kerry personally expressed condolences at the loss of lives and condemned the attack on behalf of his country. In Kerry's first Twitter posting as secretary of state he wrote: "Saw friend/Foreign Secretary Mathai- discussed importance of relationship w/ #India, expressed sympathies to brave people of #Hyderabad -JK." State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland stated ″We condemn the cowardly attack in Hyderabad, India, in the strongest possible terms, and we extend our deepest sympathies to those affected and to the people of India.″[40]
  •   France – France condemned "in the strongest terms" the twin bombing in Hyderabad and said India can count on Paris' "steadfast support and cooperation" in the fight against terrorism. Conveying his heartfelt condolences to the victims' families on behalf of France, François Hollande, President of France expressed "his complete solidarity with the Indian people and the government in the fight against terrorism, for which they can count on France's steadfast support and cooperation".[41]
  •   Pakistan – Foreign Ministry spokesman Moazzam Khan said: "Pakistan strongly condemns the bomb blasts in Hyderabad causing several deaths and injuries."[42]
  •   Turkey – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement that read: "We condemn this terrorist attack which killed innocent people. We wish God's mercy upon those who lost their lives, convey our condolences to their bereaved families and wish a speedy recovery to those wounded".[43]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "IED used in twin blasts in Hyderabad: DGP". DNA India. PTI. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Hyderabad blasts case: Yasin Bhatkal, 4 other IM operatives sentenced to death". The Times of India. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  3. ^ "Hyderabad blasts: Dilsukhnagar has been on Indian Mujahideen radar since 1999". The Times of India. TNN. 22 February 2013. Archived from the original on 24 February 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  4. ^ "12 dead, 50 injured in blasts in Hyderabad". DNA India. IANS. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  5. ^ "12 dead, 84 injured in blasts in Hyderabad". DNA India. PTI. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  6. ^ "Two blasts in Dilsukh Nagar area in Hyderabad". Zee News. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  7. ^ "13 die in Hyderabad blasts aimed at teeming clusters". The Telegraph, India. 22 February 2013. Archived from the original on 26 February 2013. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  8. ^ Reddy, B Dasarath (22 February 2013). "Hyderabad blasts: toll goes up to 17". Business Standard. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  9. ^ T S Sudhir (22 February 2013). "Hyderabad blasts: Why the challenge is to stand united and defeat terror". First Post. Hyderabad, India. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  10. ^ "At least 10 killed, scores injured in Hyderabad blasts". The Hindu. Hyderabad, India. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  11. ^ Radhika Iyer (With Agency inputs); Samira Shaikh (22 February 2013). "Hyderabad bomb blasts: among 16 dead, at least three students". Hyderabad, India: NDTV. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  12. ^ "Hyderabad blasts: 16 killed, 119 injured". The Indian Express. 22 February 2013. Archived from the original on 24 February 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  13. ^ a b c Singh, Preeti. "Two blasts rock Hyderabad, 12 dead, 57 injured; NIA, NSG teams rushed". IBN Live. Archived from the original on 24 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  14. ^ "NIA, NSG teams flying to Hyderabad blast site: RK Singh". DNA India. IANS. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  15. ^ "Govt warned about blasts but had no specific info: Shinde". Hindustan Times. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.[dead link‍]
  16. ^ "India's Hyderabad hit by two explosions". BBC News. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  17. ^ "Indian Mujahideen suspect had in 2012 confessed doing recce of Dilsukh Nagar in Hyderabad". IBN Live. 21 February 2013. Archived from the original on 24 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  18. ^ "Hyderabad police ignored Delhi report". The Times of India. 21 February 2013. Archived from the original on 25 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  19. ^ S Lakshman, Ganesh (22 February 2013). "Hyderabad bomb blasts: Initial probe suggests hand of Indian Mujahidee". The Times of India. Times News Network. Archived from the original on 23 February 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  20. ^ "FIR filed in Hyderabad blasts case". The Times of India. PTI. 22 February 2013. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  21. ^ "Hyderabad blasts: six detained for questioning". NDTV Convergence Limited. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  22. ^ "Revealed: How culprits executed Hyderabad bomb blasts". OneIndia News. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  23. ^ a b "14 killed, 119 injured in Hyderabad blasts, probe team appointed says Sushilkumar Shinde". DNA India. IANS. 22 February 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  24. ^ "Hyderabad blasts: Sai Baba temple was the initial target, say police sources". IBN Live. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  25. ^ "15 special teams constituted to crack Hyderabad blasts case, Andhra govt hopeful". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 26 February 2013. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  26. ^ "High alert across Andhra Pradesh". DNA India. IANS. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  27. ^ "News of blasts in Hyderabad is saddening: Narendra Modi". DNA India. PTI. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  28. ^ "West Bengal on alert in the wake of Hyderabad blasts". DNA India. PTI. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  29. ^ "Security stepped up in Delhi, Mumbai following Hyderabad blasts". The Hindu. Press Trust of India. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  30. ^ "Twin blasts rattle Hyderabad". The Hindu. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  31. ^ "Hyderabad blasts kill shoppers". The guardian. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  32. ^ "Hyderabad blasts are an act of cowardice: Pranab Mukherjee". DNA India. PTI. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  33. ^ "Hyderabad blasts: PM appeals for calm, announces Rs 2 lakh for dead". New Delhi, India: Zee News. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  34. ^ he stated."Hyderabad blasts: Sushma Swaraj says govt failed to act". The Times of India. Zeenews Bureau. 22 February 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  35. ^ "Asaduddin Owaisi criticises Sushma Swaraj for linking him to Hyderabad blasts". Dailybhaskar.com. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  36. ^ "Govt should stop playing politics with terrorism: BJP". Business Standard. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  37. ^ PTI (19 February 2013). "News / National : Govt. should stop playing politics with terrorism: BJP". The Hindu. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  38. ^ "Hyderabad bomb blast: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemns attack". The Economic Times. PTI. 22 February 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  39. ^ Australia condemns Hyderabad terror bombings - Yahoo! News India. In.news.yahoo.com (2013-02-22). Retrieved on 2013-08-29.
  40. ^ Jha, Lalit (22 February 2013). "US condemns Hyderabad blasts, offers assistance in probe". Business Standard. PTI. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  41. ^ France condemns Hyderabad attack, offers support. Zeenews.india.com. Retrieved on 2013-08-29.
  42. ^ "Pakistan condemns India bomb attacks, says all terrorism 'unjustifiable'". The Times of India. PTI. 22 February 2013. Archived from the original on 27 February 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  43. ^ "Press Release Regarding the Blasts that took Place in the Hyderabad City of India". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey. 21 February 2013. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
 
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