Mumbai: March 12 is the 20th anniversary of the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts, a frightening event that shocked the nation and is also known a Black Friday. On the 20th anniversary of the dastardly attack in which 257 people were killed and 713 others injured as 12 blasts rocked Mumbai, security agencies are yet to apprehend the conspirators of the March 12, 1993, serial bomb blasts including Dawood Ibrahim and Tiger Memon.
While over 100 people who were involved in the blasts have been convicted and punished, but the masterminds are yet to be nabbed. The entire conspiracy was hatched by Pakistan and executed by a group of Indian criminals. Brand new vehicles with unidentified number plates loaded with RDX were used to wreak havoc in Mumbai.
The genesis of Mumbai blasts lay in the December 6, 1992 destruction of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. There were riots in several parts of the country after Babri Masjid was razing and Tioger Memon's gold smuggling business was completely ruined. Memon then allegedly decided to take revenge by bombing Mumbai and a secret meeting was held in Dubai. After the Dubai meeting some youngsters were sent to Pakistan to get trained in making bombs and using explosives. Later, Pakistani spy agency the ISI and Dawood Ibrahim provided the explosives, bombs, arms and ammunition for the Mumbai blasts. The attacks were coordinated by Dawood Ibrahim.
India has provided evidence on several occasion to Pakistan about Dawood Ibrahim and Tiger Memon. But Pakistan has refused to acknowledge that both Dawood and Tiget Memon are living in the country, and has refused to cooperate with India or to handover the fugitive duo.
The entire world has undergone a major change in the last 20 years and the wounds of the March 12, 1993 blasts may have healed, but India is still nowhere near to getting hold of Dawood and Tiger Memon.
Here is a timeline of terror as the bombs ripped through some of the most famous landmarks of India's financial capital.
Blast One, 1330 hrs IST- The Bombay Stock Exchange
It was just another busy day on Dalal street till 1330 hrs n the afternoon, when the first bomb went off. The explosion took place in the underground car park of Jeejeebhoy towers. Eighty-four people died, over 200 were injured.
Blast Two, 1415 hrs IST -- Narsi Natha Street
5 dead, 16 injured
The second bomb went off at a quarter past two at Narsi Natha Street, in the middle of a wholesale grain and spice market. Five people were killed, 16 injured.
Blast Three, 1430 hrs IST -- Shiv Sena Bhavan
4 dead, 50 injured
Lucky Petrol Pump, near the Shiv Sena Bhawan at Shivaji Park, was the target of the third attack. Five people died and over 50 were injured.
Blast Four, 1433 hrs IST -- Air India Building
20 dead, 87 injured
Three minutes later, a fourth bomb ripped through the facade of the Air India building at Nariman Point. The bomb was placed in a white ambassador parked outside the building. Twenty people died and more than 85 were injured.
Blast Five, 1445 hrs IST -- Mahim Causeway
3 dead, 6 injured
A mere 12 minutes later, a bomb rocked the Mahim Causeway killing three more innocent people.
Blast Six, 1445 hrs IST -- Century Bazaar
113 dead, 227 injured
At exactly the same time as the Mahim bomb, a bomb went off at the Century Bazaar. This blast was unlike anything India had ever witnessed. It was a single bomb that left a huge crater in the tarmac, killing 113 people and injuring 227 others. The bomb was planted under a man-hole, and detonated when a BEST bus drove over it.
Blast Seven, 1505 hrs IST -- Zaveri Bazar
17 dead, 57 injured
The seventh blast took place twenty minutes later, in another crowded marketplace, the Zaveri Bazaar. Hidden in a scooter, it killed 17 and injured 57 people.
Blast Eight, 1510 hrs IST -- Sea Rock Hotel, Bandra
No Casualties
This was the only place where a bomb was planted, but where there were no causalties. A suitcase loaded with RDX exploded in a room at Bandra's Sea Rock Hotel. However, the hotel was partially destroyed.
Blast Nine, 1513 hrs IST -- Plaza Cinema
10 dead, 37 injured
Three minutes later a bomb exploded outside the Plaza cinema hall leaving 10 more dead and injuring 37 people.
Blast Ten, 1520 hrs IST -- Juhu Centaur Hotel
3 injured
Seven minutes later, a blast rocked the Juhu Centaur Hotel. The bomb was planted in one of the many new vehicles bought for the attacks. No one died.
Blast Eleven, 1530 hrs IST -- Sahar Airport
No Casualties
The eleventh target was Mumbai's Sahar airport. No bomb was here. Instead, a grenade was lobbed into the airport. No one was hurt.
Blast Twelve, 1540 hrs IST -- Airport Centaur Hotel
2 dead, 8 injured
The final bomb exploded at the Airport's Centaur Hotel at 1540 hrs. Two people died, eight were injured.
130 minutes, 12 blasts, 257 dead, over 700 injured -- March 12, 1993 changed Mumbai forever.
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