On Friday last I got a call from one of my colleagues from the fraternity who wanted information on what explosive material was used in the various bomb blasts that have taken place in the country in the recent past. Well, we do get to read about the type of device used in news reports in the aftermath of such events, but I could not readily give him any useful input. Later on I remembered that the information was available in the 11th August issue of 'India Today' which I am reproducing here.
1. Mumbai – 25 Aug 2003. Two blasts occurred at Zaveri Bazar and Gateway of India. The death toll was 46 and the device used RDX packed in two taxis.
2. Delhi - 29 Oct 2005. Three serial blasts rocked the capital before Diwali at Sarojininagar and a DTC bus. Death toll : 62 and the device used – IEDs in satchels.
3. Varanasi – 07 Mar 2006. Three explosions including one at a famous temple and one at the Railway Station. The death toll was 21 and the device used was IEDs in pressure cookers.
4. Mumbai – 11 July 2006. A series of seven bomb blasts struck six local trains at the peak evening rush hour, The death toll was 209 and the device used was IEDs in pressure cookers.
5. Malegaon – 08 Sep 2006. Two bomb blasts ripped through the town in Nashik district in Maharashtra. The death toll was 40 and device used was IEDs on bicycles.
6. Panipat – 19 Feb 2007. Two IEDs went off on the New Delhi-Wagah Samjahuata Express. The death toll was 66 and the device used was firebombs triggered by timer.
8. Hyderabad – 18 May 2007. Twin blasts at the Mecca Masjid, The death toll was 12 and the device used was a pipe bomb triggered a cell phone.
9. Hyderabad – 25 Aug 2007. Twin bomb blasts at Lumbini park and a popular snack stall. The death toll was 42 and the device used IEDs with timers.
10. Jaipur – 13 May 2008. Nine blasts in a market place. The death toll was 63 and the device used IEDs on bicycles.
12. Bangalore – 25 July 2008. Six low intensity blasts at various places rocked the city. There was one casualty and the device used IEDs.
13. Ahmedabad – 26 July 2008. 22 Blasts at 17 places within the city. The death toll was 53 and the device used –Improvised directional anti-personnel mines and car bombs.
Terrorists have now started using copies of the Claymore anti- personnel mines used by the Army. These copies were even shaped like the real thing packed with a cocktail of explosive materials like Ammonium Nitrate, Gelatin sticks, crude oil and urea and having tightly packed pellets to achieve maximum damage.
2. Delhi - 29 Oct 2005. Three serial blasts rocked the capital before Diwali at Sarojininagar and a DTC bus. Death toll : 62 and the device used – IEDs in satchels.
3. Varanasi – 07 Mar 2006. Three explosions including one at a famous temple and one at the Railway Station. The death toll was 21 and the device used was IEDs in pressure cookers.
4. Mumbai – 11 July 2006. A series of seven bomb blasts struck six local trains at the peak evening rush hour, The death toll was 209 and the device used was IEDs in pressure cookers.
5. Malegaon – 08 Sep 2006. Two bomb blasts ripped through the town in Nashik district in Maharashtra. The death toll was 40 and device used was IEDs on bicycles.
6. Panipat – 19 Feb 2007. Two IEDs went off on the New Delhi-Wagah Samjahuata Express. The death toll was 66 and the device used was firebombs triggered by timer.
8. Hyderabad – 18 May 2007. Twin blasts at the Mecca Masjid, The death toll was 12 and the device used was a pipe bomb triggered a cell phone.
9. Hyderabad – 25 Aug 2007. Twin bomb blasts at Lumbini park and a popular snack stall. The death toll was 42 and the device used IEDs with timers.
10. Jaipur – 13 May 2008. Nine blasts in a market place. The death toll was 63 and the device used IEDs on bicycles.
12. Bangalore – 25 July 2008. Six low intensity blasts at various places rocked the city. There was one casualty and the device used IEDs.
13. Ahmedabad – 26 July 2008. 22 Blasts at 17 places within the city. The death toll was 53 and the device used –Improvised directional anti-personnel mines and car bombs.
Terrorists have now started using copies of the Claymore anti- personnel mines used by the Army. These copies were even shaped like the real thing packed with a cocktail of explosive materials like Ammonium Nitrate, Gelatin sticks, crude oil and urea and having tightly packed pellets to achieve maximum damage.
PS : The said issue of 'India Today' has a very good cover story as well as other thought provoking articles as to what should be done to contain this menace !!