- 2007 Uttar Pradesh bombings
Infobox terrorist attack
title=23 November 2007 Uttar Pradesh Serial Blasts
caption= Three cities ofUttar Pradesh where bombs were planted
location=Lucknow ,Varanasi andFaizabad ,India
target=Court Premises
date=23 November 2007
time-begin=13:05
time-end=13:32
timezone=UTC +5:30
type=Bombing s
weapons =Improvised explosive devices made withAmmonium nitrate [ [http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/nov/23court7.htm Ammonium nitrate used in UP serial blasts] ] andRDX [ [http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20071125/832278.html Police clueless about Uttar Pradesh blasts, RDX use confirmed] ]
fatalities=18
injuries=81
susperps =Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami [ [http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1112089 HuJI suspected to be behind serial blast in Uttar Pradesh] ] /Indian Mujahideen [ [http://www.ibnlive.com/news/mujahideen-claims-responsibility-for-up-blasts/52882-3.html Indian Mujahideen claims responsibility for UP blasts] ]Six consecutive serial blasts rocked
Lucknow ,Varanasi andFaizabad courts inUttar Pradesh on 23 November 2007 afternoon in a span of 25 minutes, in which reportedly many people were killed and several others injured. [ [http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070033741&ch=11/23/2007%202:07:00%20PM Blasts in Lucknow, Varanasi, Faizabad] ]Bombs were explicitly targeted to the lawyers who were working in courts premises at these cities. The first blast occurred in Varanasi
civil court andcollectorate premises between 13:05 and 13:07 pm. Two successive blasts occurred in Faizabad district court around 13:12 and 13:15, closely followed by one at Lucknow at 13:32.The blasts came a week after the Uttar Pradesh police along with central security agencies busted a
Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists which planned to abductRahul Gandhi . The blasts may be in retaliation to the arrested terrorists being beaten up by lawyers and not being assigned even a counsel to defend them in the court.Lucknow blasts
In
Lucknow two bomb were found one triggered panic after explosion and other unexploded powerful live bomb was deactivated by bomb disposal squads. Both the bombs were planted inbicycles in civil court premises. Lucknow blast was mildest among all other blasts in Faizabad and Varanasi.Varanasi blasts
Three consecutive blasts claimed most lives in
Varanasi at least 11 people were killed including four lawyers and 42 injured. Bomb were tied tobicycles which exploded around 13:05-13:15.Faizabad blasts
Two successive blasts occurred in
Faizabad which were strongest among all. In these blasts at least four people were killed on spot and about 15 were injured.Terror Mail just before blasts
A little known group
Indian Mujahidin has claimed responsibility of these blasts. This group apparently sent an email (e-mail id-guru_alhind@yahoo.fr) to some private TV channels just five minutes before the blasts. This email says theJihad inIndia is in retaliation against the injustice toMuslims in India , the demolition of theBabri Masjid and theGujarat riots . Indian Mujahideen also claimed responsibility for the blasts in Delhi and Hyderabad but refused any association with the attacks on the Mecca Masjid, the Samjhauta Express and the2006 Malegaon blasts .HuJI's hand suspected
Investigating agencies suspect a the hand of
Bangladesh based terrorist outfitHarkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HuJI) pointsman who goes by the name Guru has emerged as a prime suspect. Intelligence agencies suspect that Guru may have planned the attacks executed by sleeper cells ofLashkar-e-Taiba andJaish-e-Mohammed possibly under the banner ofal-Qaida-fil-al-Hindi (meaning al-Qaida in India). [ [http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1114394 Police confirms HuJi's hand] ]Lawyers' strike to protest blasts
Bar Council of
Uttar Pradesh decided to go on strike to protest against these terrorist activities. In the state capital, lawyers moved about in groups in the court compounds and raised slogans against terrorism. The government has tightened security arrangements in the courts throughout the state after the Friday blasts. Lawyers from other states also join state bar council and observing the day as shok diwas. [ [http://news.indiainfo.com/2007/11/26/0711261538_blasts-lawyers.html Lawyers strike in UP against blasts] ]Reactions
*The Union Home Ministry of India said it's a terrorist strike meant to disturb
communal harmony .
*Uttar Pradesh's Chief Minister condemned serial blasts and announced a compensation of Rs.200,000 to the next of kin to each of those killed and Rs.50,000 for those injured in the incidents. She also said that it is a complete failure of centralintelligence agencies . [ [http://in.jagran.yahoo.com/news/national/general/5_1_3929206.html धमाकों की साजिश सुनियोजित: मायावती] hi icon]
* ThePrime Minister of India ,Dr. Manmohan Singh condemned serial blasts and announced a compensation of Rs.100,000 from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund to kin of each of those killed in blasts.
*British High Commissioner to IndiaRichard Stagg said in a statement "We condemn all forms of terrorism. It is a particularly worrying development that the judiciary and the legal system have been attacked. Our thoughts are with the affected families". [ [http://www.indiaenews.com/india/20071123/82276.htm Britain, US condemn Uttar Pradesh blasts] ]References
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