Highlights
– Five bombs detonated within seconds of one another throughout New Delhi
– Initial reports indicate at least 21 killed and over 100 injured after explosions
– The Indian Mujahideen claimed responsibility for the attack and promised more
A coordinated series of explosions struck a park and crowded shopping areas across the Indian capital on September 13, 2008 killing at least 21 people and injuring over 100, officials said. The relatively unknown Muslim militant group, Indian Mujahideen, claimed responsibility.
The bombs, five in total, all exploded at or near heavily trafficked shopping areas in various parts of New Delhi. The first bomb exploded at 06:07 IST and the last of the five exploded just 31 minutes later. Terrorist groups often set and detonate bombs in the same area but at different times to increase the carnage of the initial bombing, often killing first-responders.
In this case, however, the multiple detonations were scattered throughout Delhi in an apparent attempt to cause citywide disarray and commotion among citizens and authorities. In addition to the five bombs that detonated on Saturday, four more were found by police and disarmed prior to exploding.
We expect the Indian Mujahideen to conduct further attacks in the near to mid-term, particularly in light of the group’s recent threat to target Mumbai. Should the group continue to execute successful attacks against major cities throughout the country, Indian domestic security forces are likely to increase arrests of suspected Muslim militants driving a greater wedge between Muslim and Hindu residents of India.
Indian Mujahideen
The Indian Mujahideen was unknown until May 2008 when it took responsibility for a series of bombings in the western city of Jaipur that killed 61 people. The group also said it was responsible for July 2008 blasts in the western state of Gujarat that killed over 45 people. This year, the group has taken responsibility for a series of blasts in Bangalore that killed two people and wounded over 20; and for the July blasts in Ahmedabad that resulted in 56 deaths and over 200 wounded.
Some Indian intelligence officials suspect that the Indian Mujahideen is just a name being used by outfits previously banned by the Indian government. Those same officials claim that the Indian Mujahideen comprises activists from banned groups such as Harkat-ul-Jihad-e-Islami and the Students Islamic Movement of India.
While portions of the Indian Intelligence Bureau continue to suggest that the group is simply reconstituting its identity to distract investigating agencies, some Indian officials continue to point the finger at Pakistan. While no hard evidence has come out in support of this accusation, it is possible that the ISI, the Pakistani intelligence apparatus, or private groups may be channeling finances and providing training for disenfranchised Indian citizens who feel the country’s Muslim minority is being unfairly persecuted.
Operation B-A-D
Recent reports suggest that Saturday’s explosions were the last in a series of attacks known in the Indian intelligence community as Operation BAD, referring to Bangalore, Ahmedebad, and Delhi, sites of three major attacks in the past year that resulted in a combined 130 deaths. After more than 20 blasts in Ahmedabad on the evening of July 26, killing 56 people, intelligence officials had intercepted a call made from across the border claiming Operation BAD was successful.
Authorities are currently searching for Abdul Subhan Qureshi, also known as Tauqueer, an information technology specialist from Mumbai said to be a close confidant of Abu Bashir, who police claim was the mastermind behind the Ahmedabad attacks. Tauqueer allegedly played a major role in planning and carrying out the attacks in Ahmedabad and Delhi. Additionally, police have targeted a number of other unnamed individuals for their supporting roles in carrying out the bombings but most individuals remain at large, although some arrests have been made.
Outlook
The blasts this past weekend highlight both the sophistication of domestic Indian terrorist groups, as well as the weaknesses of the domestic security apparatus. A number of Indian officials continue to cast blame on Pakistan, particularly the ISI, claiming the organization provides training and even going so far as to suggest that the ISI recommended the group create the name Indian Mujahideen to confuse Indian investigators.
We expect further attacks in the near-term, particularly given the recent announcement by the Indian Mujahideen that Mumbai’s financial district will be the setting for the next wave of attacks. Should Indian authorities fail to stem the success of the Indian Mujahideen, we expect a strong Hindu backlash against the minority Muslim population throughout India as tensions between the groups continue to rise.
