Black Friday

After the March 7 attack on Sankat Mochan Temple in Varanasi, the terroristschose the historic historic Jama Masjid in Old Delhi as their next majorreligious target. It was around 5:20 when the first explosion took place insidethe mosque, near gate number one, near a pond  used for ablutions. In theresulting chaos, while the injured were still being attended to, within fifteen minutes,followed the second blast 

At least 13 people are reported injured, including a child, one of themseriously. Delhi Police personnel claim two crude bombs were used, made ofPotassium chlorate and sulphur mixed with acid, with shrapnel added to causedamage. Both bombs were reportedly smuggled inside two small tin containerswrapped in plastic bags and kept near a pond where people wash themselves beforeand after prayers. No damage was done to the structure of the mosque. 

Though the same mixture is used for manufacturing of detonators, the one usedtoday was completely in its crude form and could only blacken the surface whereit was planted. There were black patches near the pond. And blood stains. Athick blanket of black smoke engulfed the area as people ran for safety. PoliceCommissioner K K Paul, who visited the site, said that the explosions were of"low intensity" and an improvised device was used to trigger them.

"I was offering the namaz when a big sound rocked the whole Jama Masjid.When I turned around, I saw a thick cloud of smoke near the pond. I rushed tothe spot and saw six people rushing towards us screaming, all with injuries ontheir bodies," Mohamad Adil, an eye witness was to recount later. Anannouncement was made on the public address system of the mosque, asking thedevotees to leave the premises. "Even as we were preparing to send theinjured to hospital, another explosion took place just near the firstexplosion," he said.

The terrorists had chosen their timing with care. Like at Varansai, when theblasts had been carried out on a Tuesday, the special day for Hanuman devotees,the day chosen for these blasts today was the busiest Friday, the first after Prophet Mohammad'sbirthday, and since it also happened to be a holiday on account of Ambedkar'sbirthday, a large number of people were present in the complex at the time ofthe explosion.

As the twin blasts set off utter chaos and a near-stampede situation in thehistoric Jama Masjid complex here today, what emerged unmistakably from theincidents were bewilderment and anger against the perpetrators of the attack.Angry devotees inside the mosque and others, who rushed to the spot from nearbyareas shouted "Allah Ho Akbar" as they sought vengeance againstperpetrators of the blasts.

Delhi Police Commissioner K K Paul and Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid SyedAhmed Bukhari both appealed to the devotees through the public address system tomaintain calm, but many expressed their anger saying they could not accept suchan attack on a religious place. "Government must find out the culprits whowere behind the explosions very soon. It would help to maintain peace andharmony in the society," Wasim Khan, a local businessman, said. Anger setin after a brief spell of bewilderment after the explosions. "How can sucha thing take place inside a place of worship"? was the common refrain amongthe people on the spot. 

Syed Ahmed Bukhari, Shahi Imam of the mosque was soon on TV and appealed toall to maintain peace. "There were nearly 1,000 people inside Jama Masjid," he said, as he too spoke of the attack first on the Sankat Mochan temple in Varanasi,and  and now on the Jama Masjid. "We have to come together to fight the perpetrators ofterrorism. This is the time to stay calm and let the police do their work," hesaid.

There was a near stampede situation after the twin blasts as people scrambled for safety.Ambulances and fire tenders were rushed to the communally sensitive and congestedarea to ensure law and order and the entire area was cordoned off. Police inlarge numbers were deployed to prevent any law and order problem. The injuredwere rushed to the LNJP hospital about four km away from the mosque.

Undeterred by the explosions, however, the devout were back in the mosqueabout one-and-half hours later to offer 'Isha' prayer.  Others to visit themosque were home minister Shivraj Patil and Chief Minister of Delhi, Sheila Dikshitwho has announced a compensation of Rs 50,000 for the seriously injured and Rs 25,000 for people with minorinjuries. The Special Cell of the Delhi Police has been asked to investigate theincident. Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit . 

Condemnations of the attacks have come from far and wide, from President A P J AbdulKalam to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Congress President Sonia Gandhi to Leader of Opposition L K Advaniand even from the VHP. VHP leader Praveen Togadia has immediately called for ahalt of talks with Pakistan in view of these attacks and charged that just as MA Jinnah created Pakistan, the present authorities of that country were tryingto divide India again. "Pakistan does not want Indian Muslims to comeforward and participate in India's progress," he said.

A nation-wide red-alert is on with security tightened at sensitive areasthroughout the city. The attacks assume significance as earlier throughout theday, terrorists had launched a series of grenade attacks in busy areas ofSrinagar, killing five civilians and injuring 35, including 10 securitypersonnel. For details, please click here

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With agency inputs