2008 western India bombings: Difference between revisions

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These blasts were carried out by Pakistani agency ISI but for vote bank politics Congress government termed it as Hindu bombing.

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+These blasts were carried out by Pakistani agency ISI but for vote bank politics Congress government termed it as Hindu bombing.
-{{Cleanup|date=October 2008}}
-{{pp-move-vandalism|small=yes}}
-{{Infobox civilian attack
-| title = 29 September 2008 Western India bombings
-| image =
-| caption =
-| location = [[Maharashtra]] and [[Gujarat]], [[India]]
-| coordinates =
-| date = 29 September 2008
-| time = 21:30
-| timezone = [[UTC]]+05:30
-| type = Bombings
-| fatalities = 7-8
-| injuries = 80<ref name=press>{{cite news|url=http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/0/A2DA77A4E3D5B230652574D3006A4602?OpenDocument|title=5 killed, 80 injured in blasts in Gujarat, Maharashtra towns |date=29 September 2008|publisher=Press Trust of India|accessdate=29 September 2008}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
-| perps =
-| perp =
-| susperps = [[Abhinav Bharat]] + other Hindu group/s
-| susperp =
-| weapons = Low intensity crude [[bombs]]
-| motive =
-}}
-{{Campaignbox India terrorism}}
-In the '''29 September 2008 Western India bombings''', three bombs exploded in the States of [[western India|Gujarat and Maharashtra]] of [[India]] killing 8 persons and injuring 80.<ref name=press/> Two bombs went off in [[Malegaon]], [[Maharashtra]], which killed seven people while another blast in [[Modasa]], [[Gujarat]] resulted in the death of one person.
-==Background==
-India witnessed a surge in terror attacks since May 2008 when a [[13 May 2008 Jaipur bombings|series of blasts]] in [[Jaipur]] killed 63.<ref>Majumdar, Bappa. "[http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/FullcoverageStoryPage.aspx?id=ba873f80-b554-48c2-be89-3917c7e6f249TerrorstrikesJaipur_Special&&Headline='Unknown+terror+group+claims+responsibility' Unknown terror group claims responsibility: report]", [[Hindustan Times]], 2008-05-15.</ref> Since then, other major Indian cities including [[Bangalore]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/nine-blasts-rock-bangalore-two-killed/69540-3.html |title=Nine blasts rock Bangalore &#124; Chaos and curiousity |date=25 July 2008 |publisher=IBN Live |accessdate=3 August 2008}}</ref> [[Ahmedabad]]<ref name="Deaths">{{cite web| last =| first =| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =Gujarat police release three sketches| work =[[The Hindu]]| publisher =Kasturi & Sons Ltd| date =6 August 2008| url =http://www.khabrein.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15625&Itemid=88| format =| doi =| accessdate =6 August 2008 }}
-</ref> and Delhi have been targeted.
-On 29 September 2008, police in Ahmedabad, Gujarat foiled another terror attack when 17 bombs were found and defused.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7642937.stm |title=Police 'find 17 bombs' in Gujarat |publisher=BBC NEWS |date=29 September 2008 |accessdate=3 October 2008}}</ref> However, a low-intensity bomb exploded at a market packed with [[Muslim]]s breaking their [[Ramadan]] [[fast]], killing one and wounding 15.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26946171/ |title=Explosion kills 1, wounds 15 in western India |publisher=AP via msnbc |date=29 September 2008 |accessdate=3 October 2008}}</ref> Another bomb in [[Faridabad]] was found and defused.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Civilian_defuses_bomb_in_Faridabad/articleshow/3540338.cms |title=Bomb found in Faridabad, defused by civilian |publisher=The Times of India |date=28 September 2008 |accessdate=3 October 2008}}</ref> Furthermore, the bombs were purportedly similar to those that [[27 September 2008 Delhi blast|exploded in Delhi]] two days before this attack.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Blasts_in_Maharashtra_Gujarat_8_killed/articleshow/3542011.cms |title=Blasts in Maharashtra, Gujarat; 8 killed |publisher=The Times of India |date=30 September 2008 |accessdate=3 October 2008 |first1=Mateen |last1=Hafeez |first2=Yogesh |last2=Naik}}</ref>
-The explosions in Malegaon and Modasa took place on the eve of [[Navratri]], a major [[Hindu]] festival celebrated across India.<ref name="hindustantimes1">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=HomePage&id=58462ebb-1d3d-42c5-962f-a93c44f86424&&Headline=Three+blown+dead%3a+This+terror+run+isn%E2%80%99t+over+yet |title=3 blown dead: This terror run isn’t over yet |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=29 September 2008 |accessdate=3 October 2008}}</ref>
-==Blast==
-The Malegoan blast occurred near a hotel at Bhikku Chowk in Maharashtra. The bombs were allegedly fitted onto a [[Hero Honda]] motorcycle and rigged to detonate.<ref name="hindustantimes2">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=HomePage&id=e36f87dc-df91-4445-8fe3-79cfbaa4fc69&&Headline=Situation+remains+tense%3b+curfew+relaxed |title=Malegaon blast: Situation remains tense; curfew relaxed |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=30 September 2008 |accessdate=3 October 2008}}</ref> <!-- what about the Gujarat blast info? --> Both blasts were said to be of low intensity.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/blasts-in-maharashtra-gujarat-towns-4-dead/74634-3.html |title=Four dead in Guj, Maharashtra blasts |publisher=ibnlive.com |date=29 September 2008 |accessdate=3 October 2008}}</ref>
-There had been confusion earlier about what had caused the blast with some suggesting that it was caused by an accidental explosion of a gas cylinder. But the police later confirmed that the blast was a terrorist attack.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=11870708-4a02-4506-a8f2-ebc16113c6a6&ParentID=e36f87dc-df91-4445-8fe3-79cfbaa4fc69&&Headline=%27Malegaon+explosion+was+bomb+blast%27 |title=Malegaon explosion was bomb blast: police |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=30 September 2008 |accessdate=3 October 2008}}</ref>
-The Modera blasts, resulting in the death of a 15-year-old boy, as well as several others injured, was a result of a low-intensity bomb kept on a motorcycle went off near a mosque at the Muslim-dominated Sukka Bazaar. The incident took place around 21:26 when special Ramzan prayers ([[tarawih]]) were being offered inside the mosque.<ref name="indianexpress"/>
-===Aftermath===
-''CNN-IBN'' reported that after the blast a mob of 20,000 gathered near the blast site, following which the state of Maharashtra deployed Reserve Police Force to prevent any mob violence.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/malegaon-mob-violence-postblast-patil-appeals-for-peace/74640-3.html |title=Mob violence post-blast, Patil appeals for peace |publisher=ibnlive.com |date=30 September 2008 |accessdate=3 October 2008}}</ref> The police brought the situation under control after a brief clash with the mob.<ref name="hindustantimes2"/>
-Amidst rising security concerns, Gujarat plans to deploy police in heavy numbers during the ''[[Garba (dance)|garba]]'' festivities.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/security-concerns-wheel-in-drivein-garba-in-gujarat/74641-3.html |title=Security concerns wheel in drive-in Garba in Gujarat |publisher=ibnlive.com |date=30 September 2008 |accessdate=3 October 2008}}</ref>
-==Investigation==
-[[Mumbai Police]] deployed [[Anti Terrorism Squad]] to assist the local investigating authorities in Malegaon.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=e2b9f3a1-b55b-460a-8b60-e600256ece3d&ParentID=e36f87dc-df91-4445-8fe3-79cfbaa4fc69&&Headline=ATS+team+to+investigate+blast+at+Malegaon |title=ATS team to investigate blast at Malegaon |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=2008-09-0 |accessdate=3 October 2008}}</ref> Police say that unsophisticated, crude bombs, identical to those that detonated in Delhi 3 days ago, were used.<ref name="hindustantimes1"/> The investigation was led by Mumbai Anti-terrorism squad chief [[Hemant Karkare]], who was later killed in the [[2008 Mumbai Attacks]].
-Police across India, especially in Delhi, received a number of [[hoax]] calls and [[SMS]]es, hampering the investigation.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/hoax-terror-calls-smses-give-cops-sleepless-nights/74642-3.html |title=Hoax terror calls, SMSes give cops sleepless nights |publisher=ibnlive.com |date=30 September 2008 |accessdate=3 October 2008}}</ref>
-On 5 October police said they had arrested a man in connection to the bombings. [[Press Trust of India|PTI]] reported that further investigations were under way, with more arrests expected.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200810/s2382370.htm?tab=asia |title=Man arrested over India blast |publisher=Radioaustralia.net.au |date=5 October 2008 |accessdate=6 October 2008}}</ref>
-===Alleged perpetrators===
-====Malegaon blasts====
-During investigation in the Congress-led Maharashtra province, alleged evidence was made ascertaining the involvement of a Hindu group/s in the blasts. The three arrested were identified as Pragnya sadhvi'';<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=&id=02fc80de-53d4-4bc7-ac8c-8801ef9632a6&&Headline=Arrests+of+'Hindu+terrorists'+embarasses+BJP |title=Arrests of 'Hindu terrorists' embarasses BJP |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=28 October 2008 |accessdate=28 October 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Sadhvi_in_jail_for_Malegaon_blast/articleshow/3637596.cms |title=Sadhvi in jail for Malegaon blast |date=25 October 2008 |publisher=The Times of India |accessdate=25 October 2008 |first1=Mateen |last1=Hafeez |first2=Santosh |last2=Sonawane}}</ref>  Shiv Narayan Gopal Singh Kalsanghra, 36; and Shyam Bhawarlal Sahu, 42. All three were produced before the Nashik Chief Judicial Magistrate’s court, which had remanded them to police custody till 3 November.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/25/stories/2008102561761400.htm |title=Malegaon blast; three remanded to custody |publisher=The Hindu |date=25 October 2008 |accessdate=25 October 2008 |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> This follows from an earlier claim by the Maharashtra ATS' claim that Hindu groups were behind the blasts triggering a political war of words. The ATS breakthrough was the motorcycle used in the blast, which was traced to the owner in Surat who was said to have, or have had, Hindutva links. The ATS added that this group could also be behind the blast in Modasa, Gujarat. The BJP, however, said Hindu groups couldn't possibly be involved in acts of terror, while the Congress said the matter should be investigated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080069903 |title=Sadhvi linked to Malegaon blasts |publisher=NDTV.com |date=24 October 2008 |accessdate=25 October 2008}}</ref>
-Adding to this suspicion, the name of the [[Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad]] (ABVP) came up during investigations after a bike was found near the blasts site in Malegaon. However, the bike allegedly belonged to [[Pragya Singh Thakur]], who had been an ABVP activist in 1997, but sold the bike <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1081025/jsp/nation/story_10017900.jsp |title=Terror net scoops up fiery sadhvi|date=24 October 2008}}</ref> before she took to a spiritual quest. The issue was consequently brought up in the upper house of the Indian parliament, the Rajya Sabha. In response, members of the BJP's student wing insisted that the party had nothing to do with the blasts in Malegaon and it was just a political conspiracy to defame the ABVP and other Hindu groups. Sunil Bansal, regional organizing secretary of the ABVP, said: "First ATS mentioned the possibility of Vidyarthi Parishad and VHP being involved in the blasts and then the matter was also raised in Rajya Sabha by a Congress MP. But ABVP is in no way involved in the blasts. ABVP has even demanded that there should be a proper inquiry and ATS should come out with an evidence and not talk without any basis. They don't have any proof against any ABVP activist."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Delhi/Link_to_Malegaon_blast_conspiracy_to_defame_us_ABVP/articleshow/3634270.cms |title=Link to Malegaon blast conspiracy to defame us: ABVP |publisher=The Times of India |date=23 October 2008 |accessdate=25 October 2008}}</ref> After the arrest of the 3 Hindus, a Hindu group, [[Sri Ram Sena]], offered legal assistance to the accused. SRS had recently been in news for allegedly vandalising an [[M F Husain]] exhibition in Delhi, as well as for attacking churches in Karnataka. The SRS said the three accused were being made "political victims" by the Congress to hide its own inadequacies. General secretary, Binay Singh, said: "The Maharashtra government is raking up the Malegaon blast issue to divert attention from the hooliganism of Raj Thackeray while in the Centre the government is looking for an issue to cover up the Batla House encounter incident."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200810252080.htm |title=Malegaon blast accused offered legal aid |publisher=The Hindi |date=25 October 2008 |accessdate=27 October 2008 |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> Additionally, [[Bharatiya Janshakti Party|Bharatiya Janashakti]] president [[Uma Bharti]] also defended Sadhvi [[Pragya Singh Thakur]], saying: "Pragya had been a disciple of Maharaj Avdesh Anand and there was no way in which she could be part of any violent activity."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=478919&sid=NAT |title=Malegaon blast: Uma Bharati defends Sadhvi Pragya Thakur |publisher=Zee News |date=25 October 2008 |accessdate=27 October 2008}}</ref>
-On 25 October, two more persons, suspected ex-army personnel, were also questioned in Pune in connection with the Malegaon blast Mumbai.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Malegaon-blast--Police-question-two-ex-armymen-in-Pune/377946/ |title=Malegaon blast: Police question two ex-armymen |publisher=Express India |date=25 October 2008 |accessdate=27 October 2008}}</ref>
-Two days later, the total arrest count mounted to 7 when the ATS took in Sameer Kulkarni from Bhopal and Sangram Singh from Indore for questioning. According to the ATS, these arrests brought to light the workings of two groups, [[Rashtriya Jagran Manch]] and [[Abhinav Bharat]], the latter of which the latest arrests are said to be office bearers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=Cricket&id=557ca680-e02f-4901-b91a-857583718214&&Headline=Malegaon+blast%3a+Focus+on+new+outfits |title=Malegaon blast: Focus on new outfits |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=27 October 2008 |accessdate=27 October 2008}}</ref>
-Further inroads were said to be made when the Maharashtra ATS believed it was close to solving the jigsaw of the attack. The alleged mastermind, Sameer Kulkarni, who hails from Pune, was said to be a former member of the BJP’s student wing, the ABVP. The director-general of Madhya Pradesh police had on confirmed that Kulkarni, around 35, was picked up by Maharasthra ATS for questioning from Indore. His family, however, refused to speak to the media, alleging that the police were instead harassing them. A Maharashtra police office said that the "Investigations have revealed that Kulkarni is the planner of the Malegaon blast." Having moved to Indore 4 years ago he was said to be in touch with a colonel and a major — both retired. The officer added "He had sought their help on the use of explosives and its procurement. The two retired armymen would be arrested and charged with criminal conspiracy." Accordingly he was said to have hatched the blast in conspiracy with the ''sadhvi'' two others, who were already arrested in connection with the blast.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1201687 |title=Man picked up in Indore plotted Malegaon blast |publisher=DNA India |date=28 October 2008 |accessdate=28 October 2008}}</ref> The Additional Commissioner (ATS), Sukhwinder Singh, said Sameer Kulkarni and Major (retd) Ramesh Upadhyay were part of an alleged "larger conspiracy,." without elaborating what the conspiracy, or the basis for it, was.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/30/stories/2008103061131200.htm |title=ATS: Malegaon blast suspects part of larger conspiracy |publisher=The Hindu |date=30 October 2008 |accessdate=30 October 2008 |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> A serving lieutenant colonel in the army also came under the scanner for his alleged role in the blasts. It was reported that the army had allowed police to go ahead and question him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Army-allows-cops-to-quiz-its-officer-in-Malegaon-blast/379372/ |title=Army allows cops to quiz its officer in Malegaon blast |publisher=Express India |date=30 October 2008 |accessdate=31 October 2008}}</ref> On 31 October more revelations were made as ATS sources said the interrogation of Kulkarni - one of the five arrested - revealed a Bangladeshi link to the terror strike. Kulkarni was believed to have said at least 15 to 20 Bangladeshi nationals were part of ''Abhinav Bharat.'' He has also revealed that the Bangladeshi members were also present in a number of meetings held to hatch the plot, which was planned as retaliation for the Ahmedabad blasts in July 2008. Kulkarni was believed to have started a new social organisation called [[Abhinav Bharat Sansthan]]. Police said Kulkarni had previously worked at a printing press at MP Nagar in Bhopal, while Hindu activists said Kulkarni was a smart, sharp, young speaker who had addressed Abhinav Bharat gatherings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesnow.tv/NewsDtls.aspx?NewsID=19795 |title=New B'desh twist to Malegaon blast probe? |publisher=TIMESNOW.tv |date=31 October 2008 |accessdate=31 October 2008}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
-On 28 October, the [[Shiv Sena]], in ''[[Saamna]]'', came out in support of the accused saying the arrests were merely political in nature. Lending credence to this, party chief, [[Uddhav Thackeray]], pointed out a potential conflict interest in political rivarly as the [[NCP|Nationalist Congress Party]] (NCP) controlled the relevant ministry. His editorial also condemned an attack by NCP party workers on a [[Vishwa Hindu Parishad|VHP]] office in Nashik following the arrest of the sadhvi. "Just because NCP controls the home ministry (in Maharashtra), we hope they have not got a license to do what they want. Why did they ever not attack SIMI offices? NCP member advocate Majid Memon defended the 1993 blasts' accused. Has anybody ever touched him? Those who put Sadhvi Pragya Singh behind bars and those who attacked the VHP office in Nashik belong to the same club." He added that the accused were victims in a "race to claim credit (for cracking the case) among the police force. Police never get their hands on the real masterminds of blasts....They just pick up people at random and parade them before the media and congratulate themselves. This leads to a race to grab credit (for cracking cases). If a Hindu organisation is taking on useless secularism, the Anti-Terrorist Squad must not brand it as a terrorist outfit."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Sadhvi_Pragya_victim_of_race_within_cops_Shiv_Sena/rssarticleshow/3649064.cms |title=Real masterminds still at large, sadhvi Pragya a victim: Sena |publisher=The Times of India |date=28 October 2008 |accessdate=29 October 2008}}</ref> Allegations arose that the ''sadhvi'' was framed for the blast.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=146081 |title=Is the police framing Pragya for Malegaon blast? |publisher=Merinews |date= |accessdate=30 October 2008}}</ref> Even the firebrand leader of the Bhartiya Janshakti Party, Uma Bharti had expressed shock that the BJP and the broader [[Hindutva|sangh parivar]] grouping were "disowning" the ''sadhvi'', who is alleged to be linked with the [[Hindu Jagaran Manch]]. She said: "I am shocked and it is shameful that the BJP is disowning her and all their organisations are disowning her. When they wanted, they used her."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Malegaon-blast--Uma-says-BJP-disowning-Sadvi-after-arrest/378174/ |title=Malegaon blast: Uma says BJP disowning Sadvi after arrest |publisher=Express India |date=26 October 2008 |accessdate=30 October 2008}}</ref> As the polticized wrangling developed, the [[Hindu Mahasabha]] decided to provide legal aid to the suspects from Pune — Upadhyay and Kulkarni — while the umbrella organization, Abhinav Bharat, of which the two are members. The national president of the Mahasabha, Himani Savarkar, also based in Pune, confirmed this. This comes following a refusal but the two to hire lawyers when produced before the Nashik court.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/hindu-mahasabha-comes-to-blast-suspects-resc.../380044/ |title=Hindu Mahasabha comes to blast suspects' rescue |publisher=Indian Express |date=1 November 2008 |accessdate=12 November 2008}}</ref> The broader organization of [[Hindutva]] groups were seen to come together when the BJP supported the [[Shiv Sena]]'s move of extending legal aid to the suspects. The BJP said there was nothing wrong in using "private funds" for "helping" someone. Party spokesperson, Prakash Javadekar, said: "We have no objection to Shiv Sena's announcement of extending legal aid to Malegaon blast suspects. For that matter even RSS has promised help. It is not wrong for private funds to be utilised for helping someone. It is everyone's right." He added that the party's stand is the same from day one, no one should be discriminated on the basis of religion, caste or sex.<ref>[http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/0/3B81A0F597B83018652574F4004474D9?OpenDocument ]{{Dead link|date=November 2008}}</ref> The politiking behind the investigation picked up as the probe spread to Uttar Pradesh. The ATS claimed a "high profile leader" from the area may be involved in financing the attack. To this end, BJP MP from Gorakhpur, [[Yogi Adityanath]], dared the Mumbai ATS to accuse him of being the said leader. The ATS then filed an application in a Mumbai court seeking permission to interrogate the hitherto unnamed person, as well as to obtain the cooperation of the UP government in doing so. The UP ATS, however, denied that its Mumbai counterpart had asked for any assistance in netting the alleged accused. UP CM Mayawati convened her a high-level meeting of her government to discuss the matter. As yet there was mere speculation that the leader may be the firebrand Adityanath, or even his close associate and BJP MLA from the same town, Dr Radha Mohan Das Agrawal.<ref>http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=2&theme=&usrsess=1&id=230661</ref> BJP leader, [[Venkaiah Naidu]] then came out firing as he said the Maharashtra ATS should speak publicly about the blasts case only when the investigations were complete. He also went and accused the Congress, as the blame game continued, in saying that it was Congress that gave rise to [[Bhindranwale]] in Punjab and supported [[ULFA]] in Assam.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200811181821.htm | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=Naidu asks ATS to speak about Malegaon blasts after probe ends | date=18 November 2008}}</ref> On the same day the BJP parliamentary leader, [[L. K. Advani]] also accused the ATS of acting in a politically motivated and unprofessional manner as he alleged that "It has become clear that the ATS is acting in a politically-motivated and unprofessional manner. After going through her (Thakur) affidavit..I have to express my shock and outrage, which I am sure all Indians will share. In view of the shocking charges made against the ATS by the ''Sadhvi'' (''sic'') and the fact that the present investigating team has lost all moral authority, I demand a change in the present ATS team and a judicial inquiry be ordered to probe the charges made by Sadhvi Pragya and the manner in which unsubstantiated allegations have been made against army personnel...after going through her affidavit detailing how she was physically and psychologically tortured and abused in obscene languages by her interrogators, I have to express my shock and outrage. I cannot believe that such barbaric treatment has been meted out to a spiritual person, that too, a woman in a country that prides itself on its democracy and rule of law."<ref>http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=HomePage&id=bfa86ef0-5a25-4e41-a390-17f01ffecf4f&&Headline=ATS+acting+in+an+unprofessional+manner%3a+Advani</ref> A Shiv Sena activist then filed a [[PIL]] in the [[Bombay High Court]], in order to see the investigation handed over to the Maharashtra [[Criminal Investigation Department|CID]], and to see action taken against Anti-Terrorism Squad for "ill treating" ''sadhvi'' Thakur and botching the handling of the case.<ref>http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Sena-activist-files-PIL-against-ATS/388301/</ref> In response to the whole imbroglio, the Indian [[Ariculture Minister]] and [[Nationalist Congress Party|NCP]] supremo Sharad Pawar described the BJP as "unpatriotic" when he said that "The police have started investigating...If any political party takes objection, it is unfair and unpatriotic. Why should we interfere in the process of investigations?"<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200811201111.htm | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=BJP's objection to Malegaon probe unpatriotic: Pawar | date=20 November 2008}}</ref>
-The Maharashtra ATS also visited [[Vadodara]], Gujarat as part of their investigations into the attack. Officials of the [[Special Operation Group]] (SOG) of the Vadodara police, also a part of the investigation, said the visiting team had specific information about possible links between the Malegaon blast and city. An affiliated official said, "We were just asked to furnish details about some locations in the city, which we did. We have not been given any information about who they were searching for and what information they had gathered about the Vadodara link with the blast."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Malegaon-blast--Mumbai-ATS-team-looks-for-Vadodara-link/380032 |title=Malegaon blast: Mumbai ATS team looks for Vadodara link |publisher=Indian Express |date=1 November 2008 |accessdate=12 November 2008}}</ref>
-On 4 November, the case heated up with the arrest of serving [[Lieutenant Colonel]] [[Prasad Shrikant Purohit]], who was sent to police custody till 15 November. A court also sanctioned a [[narco analysis]] test. In response, the Army's deputy chief, Lt. Gen SPS Dhillon, said that no one will be spared if found guilty, and that action will be taken according to the chargesheet given to them by the ATS. He added that "The arrest of Purohit has dented the image of Army."
-His family countered the allegation in saying he is innocent, a patriot and not involved in such activities, adding "We fully support him and are proud of his service to the nation. He had no access to the RDX in the Army depot;" and that he was being targeted as he had given lectures at the Bhonsala School. "He knew Ramesh Upadyay [but] That doesn't mean he is involved in the case." He is alleged to have come into contact with Abhinav Bharat or Major Upadhyaya, another armyman, during his postings with in Nashik and Pune sometime in 2004-2005. He was found in Panchmarhi, learning Arabic; while call records between him and Upadhyaya around the time of the Malegaon blasts and beyond were said to be incriminating.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080071564&ch=11/6/2008%203:00:00%20PM |title=Colonel's arrest has upset Army: Dy chief |publisher=NDTV.com |date=6 November 2008 |accessdate=12 November 2008}}</ref> It later emerged that he, along with the ''sadhvi'', may be connected to the Samjhauta Express bombings.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/PoliticsNation/Purohits_links_to_Samjhauta_blasts/articleshow/3710158.cms | work=The Times Of India | title=Politics/Nation | date=13 November 2008}}</ref> [[Minister of Defence (India)|Indian Defence Minister]] [[AK Antony]], expressed serious concern over the alleged involvement of a serving Army officer in the attack saying all necessary action would be taken against him by the Defence Ministry on the basis of the investigative report. He said: "This incident is a matter of serious concern for all of us. We are very determined to go to the root of the whole thing. We are awaiting the (Maharashtra police) report (in the case)....We will take all necessary action on the basis of the report. On the part of the Army, without any hesitation, they are fully assisting and cooperating with the investigating agencies. We are waiting for a report from the Maharashtra police and I can tell you, we are taking it seriously."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/0/11851689E09303B3652574FA002D4134?OpenDocument |title=Malegaon blast: Antony assures of action against Army officer |publisher=Press Trust of India |date=7 November 2008 |accessdate=12 November 2008}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> As the Army came under fire for allowing the civilian police service to investigate a serving officer,<ref>NDTV. 2008-11-13.</ref> the army came out in strong defence of its record. Facing the possibility of reports of at least three more Army men under scrutiny, the Maharashtra government denied such allegation in going under a damage control exercise. Deputy chief minister, [[RR Patil]], responded to the media allegations in saying, "Please don’t malign the Army. Nor is there an intention to defame the Army." He added that tt was improper to tarnish the reputation of "our Forces" because a ''single'' "bad" officer had been detected. It was claimed that the ATS jumped to a conclusion in "utter haste without ascertaining the intelligence they have collected about the tainted Army officer who belonged to [the] Intelligence Wing." The ATS counter-contended that they had sought permission from the Army Headquarters to question at least three more officers. The Defense Minister added that "We are waiting for a report, the Army will extend full cooperation. The Intelligence Bureau is investigating it." Among those who could be questioned, based on the interrogation of the retired Major Ramesh Upadhyay, was a Colonel based in Deolali and a Major.<ref>http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080071679&ch=11/7/2008%2012:07:00%20PM</ref> To add to the confusion reports also said Purohit had been put under a "Discipline Vigilance" ban where he would not be sacked unless a court of law finds him guilty.<ref>http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=2&theme=&usrsess=1&id=230662</ref> Purohit's remand in police custody by a magisterial court was in connection with alleged forgery in procuring a gun from the military, not with the as yet investigate terror case. His defense opposed the prosecutions' plea for a seven-day remand for further investigations, instead saying the ATS was trying to implicate him in a false case by threatening Milind Date. (the alleged supplier of the gun) His [[counsel]] further  alleged that Purohit, with a distinguished service record in the army, was being victimised for political reasons and that he could even be eliminated by the ATS because of the possession of [[military intelligence|intelligence data]] of a sensitive nature pertaining to SIMI and ISI operations, which could embarrass some quarters.<ref>http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Malegaon-probe-Purohit-could-even-be-eliminated-by-ATS/387838/</ref>
-Another major and controversial breakthrough came on 14 November when the ATS arrested the Varanasi-native Dayanand Pandey, alias Sudhakar Dwivedi, who heads the ''Sharda Sarvagya Peeth''.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200811131583.htm | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=Malegaon blasts: ATS in Jammu for investigations | date=13 November 2008}}</ref> He was arrested in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh even though his exact role in the blast was not clear. The ATS then planned to go to Jammu to continue investigations of a possible wider net. It was reported that he had visited Jammu as a state guest and got into the high-security Zeesthadevi Temple near ''Raj Bhavan''.<ref>http://www.greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=14_11_2008&ItemID=65&cat=1</ref> He was apparently said to be in touch with Purohit, who led police to Pandey. [[Hemant Karkare]], chief of ATS, said: "We had got some photos, numbers and took help of UP police. He has not yet been arrested but will be if required after interrogation."<ref>http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080072396&ch=11/13/2008%206:58:00%20PM</ref> In addition, another unnamed ''sadhvi'' was arrested by the Mumbai ATS from [[Surat]] on 17 October in connection to the attack.<ref>http://www.zeenews.com/Nation/2008-10-25/478878news.html</ref>
-In January 2009, Indian police were questioning Hindu Rashtra Sene chief [[Pramod Muthalik]] over his possible role in the attacks. He has been reportedly been videotaped saying "The Malegaon blast is just a glimpse of what we can do" and implying the bombings were intended to counter "oppression" against Hindus.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/ATS_looks_at_Muthalik-Malegaon_link/articleshow/4049853.cms | work=The Times Of India | first1=Mateen | last1=Hafeez | title=ATS looks at Muthalik-Malegaon link | date=30 January 2009}}</ref>
-====Modesa blasts====
-In regards to the Modesa blast investigations, meanwhile, Union Textiles Minister, [[Shankersinh Vaghela]], came out with an allgedly scathing attack on the Gujarat government by saying it was not willing to nab the "real" culprits behind the blast even though the Congress MP from [[Sabarkantha]], [[Madhusudan Mistry]], had pointed a finger at probable suspects.
-He made the claim that the Gujarat Police had proved itself "useless" while it was heavily politicised in acting only on the orders issued by the Chief Minister’s Office. He based this on the lack of arrests in Modesa, Gujarat, while Maharashtra police had already made arrests in the Malegaon case. With the connection to Hindu suspects in Malegaon, he said he too suspected a similar hand in these blasts. He further alleged, "This proves that terror knows no religion and that it was a matter of concern that so far it was only one sided trend of targeting one community for suspicion and questioning."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/modasa-blast-vaghela-accuses-modi-govt-of-lacking-will-calls-police-useless/378435/ |title=Modasa blast: Vaghela accuses Modi govt of lacking will, calls police useless |publisher=Express India |date=27 October 2008 |accessdate=27 October 2008}}</ref>
-In Gujarat, the Deputy Superintendent of Police, K K Mysorewala, who is heading the probe into the attack, said: "We have summoned some active ABVP members to record their statements to take our probe forward." He, however, refused to name those who have been summoned and the reason behind doing so. The Sabarkantha police have recorded statements from about 500-odd people uptil 28 October 2008.<ref name="indianexpress">{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Modasa-blast--ABVP-members-to-be-quizzed/378587 |title=Modasa blast: ABVP members to be quizzed |publisher=Indian Express |date=28 October 2008 |accessdate=28 October 2008}}</ref> Mysorewala, pointed out that off the 500 people summoned for their statements 200 were associated with [[Hindutva]] organizations like the RSS, ABVP, VHP and Bajrang Dal in Modasa. However, there has still been no lead.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianmuslims.info/news/2008/oct/30/gujarat_police_going_slow_modasa_blast_probe.html |title=Gujarat police going slow on Modasa blast probe |publisher=Indian Muslims |date=30 October 2008 |accessdate=31 October 2008}}</ref> On 31 October, he exonerated the Malegoan accused from involvement in the Gujarat blasts. He said, "We have interrogated all the five who are currently in the custody of Mumbai police in connection with the Malegaon blast. None of them, however, are involved in the Modasa blast."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Modasa-blast--Police-give-clean-chit-to-Sadhvi--others/380031 |title=Modasa blast: Police give clean chit to Sadhvi, others |publisher=Indian Express |date=31 October 2008 |accessdate=12 November 2008}}</ref>
-On 7 November, it was reported that clues may be emerging. The origin of a readymade Printed Circuit Board (PCB) used in the timer circuit of the bomb may yield greater clues and lead to arrests. Unlike assembled PCBs, the manufacture of a readymade PCB can be tracked with the help of its specific manufacturing design and serial number. Experts in the Physics Department of the Directorate of Forensic Sciences (DFS) in the Gujarat capital of Gandhinagar say the readymade PCB consists of two Philips Integrated Circuits (ICs), and some capacitors and resistors mounted on a circuit board in a particular order.
-An expert involved with the case said that as a result of such moves "We have short-listed the names of some companies that manufacture PCBs of these types. The list had also been handed over to the Sabarkantha police and they are trying to track the final recipient of the PCB under examination. Though this can be a difficult task, it is not impossible."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/readymade-printed-circuit-board-may-provide-clue-in-modasa-blast/382458/ |title=Readymade Printed Circuit Board may provide clue in Modasa blast |publisher=Express India |date=6 November 2008 |accessdate=12 November 2008}}</ref>
-==See also==
-* [[List of terrorist incidents, 2008]]
-==References==
-{{Reflist|2}}
-==External links==
-*[http://www.twocircles.net/2010feb14/batla_delhi_blasts_accused_urge_sc_club_cases_order_trials_delhi.html Batla, Delhi blasts accused urge SC to club cases, order trials in Delhi] - TCN News
-*[http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/gentemplate_generic.aspx?template=saffronterror Special: New face of terror]
-*[http://www.ibnlive.com/photogallery/984-1.html#view_start Picture gallery of blast sites]
-{{War on Terrorism}}
-{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2010}}
-{{DEFAULTSORT:29 September 2008 Western India Bombings}}
-[[Category:Terrorist incidents in India in 2008|Western India bombings]]
-[[Category:Gujarat]]
-[[Category:2008 in India]]
-[[Category:History of Maharashtra]]
-[[id:Bom India Barat 29 September 2008]]
-[[ta:29 செப்டம்பர் 2008 மேற்கு இந்திய குண்டுவெடிப்புகள்]]
-[[wuu:2008年印度古吉拉特邦炸弹爆炸]]