New Delhi on edge after terrorist attacks

A series of three bomb blasts caused at least 61 deaths and tremendous disruption to local businesses in the Indian city of New Delhi on Saturday. Disruption to businesses continued yesterday, with a state of emergency being declared in the city and all markets closed as a precaution against further attacks. A series of false alarms and hoaxes has exacerbated business continuity problems.

According to AlJazerra, a previously unknown Kashmiri group has claimed responsibility for the bombings. The group, calling itself Inquilab (Revolution), made the claim to local reporters in Indian-controlled Kashmir. However, the claim has been disputed. IslamOnline reported that the bombs were not the work of a Kashmiri group but rather a terrorist outfit, which aims to throw a spanner in the recent signs of rapprochement between India and Pakistan.

The first explosion hit at 5.45pm (1245 GMT) in New Delhi's main Paharganj market. A second explosion occurred a few minutes later at the popular Sarojini Nagar market and a further explosion took place on a bus in the Govindpuri neighbourhood.

Control Risks Group issued the following advice following the attacks: “Essential travel to New Delhi can continue, but Control Risks advises foreign business travellers to postpone non-essential travel for around two days until the situation returns to normal. Companies with business operations in New Delhi should contact their staff to confirm their well-being. Business travellers currently in New Delhi should avoid the locations of the explosions, and minimise non-essential movement around the city and monitor local media sources. Business travellers should also avoid areas of Chandni Chowk and Red Fort. Responsibility for the attacks remains unclear, but they do not appear to have been anti-Western in intent.”

•Date: 31st Oct 2005 • Region: Asia • Type: Article •Topic: Terrorism
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