Twenty dead in Delhi blasts

Islamic militant group Indian Mujahideen (IM), believed to be a front for Students’ Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), today claimed responsibility for the five bomb blasts in three crowded Delhi markets. At least 100 people had been injured at the time of going to press and more than 20 had died.

The bombs were placed in dustbins and in the boot of a CNG-fuelled autorickshaw, an action replay of Gujarat and Jaipur blasts earlier this year. The credit for these two was taken by IM in emails, the authenticity of which has been confirmed by the Intelligence Bureau.

Two blasts each at Greater Kailash and Connaught Place occurred soon after the first bomb exploded in Karol Bagh at 6:10 pm. Two bombs were diffused at CP.

As panic spread, mobile phone connections were jammed and shops immediately downed shutters. The Metro rail service paused for a few hours and prominent markets were evacuated.

In 2005, a few days before Diwali, serial blasts in crowded markets had rocked Delhi on a Sunday evening.

The Indian security establishment believes that Harkat-ul-Jihad-al Islami Bangladesh (HuJI-B) and SIMI are behind IM. Some security analysts believe that IM is a group of ex-SIMI cadres, rather than HuJI-B. Others say that IM is a fake organisation designed to misguide investigators.

SIMI, a banned outfit, became legal after a specially-designated tribunal in August found no evidence against the outfit and said the material provided by the home ministry to justify the ban was insufficient.

The Supreme Court, on an appeal from the government, continued the ban but only till October 2. After that date, the court will review its order.

Intelligence sources say one Abu Subhan, believed to be the mastermind of the Bangalore and Ahmedabad blasts, may be involved in today’s attacks. Intelligence agencies had warned the government recently that SIMI was planning BAD (Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Delhi) serial blasts.