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India: Terrorism

Volume 506: debated on Monday 1 March 2010

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the (a) dates and (b) location of each terrorist attack in India in the last three years; how many casualties were sustained in each such attack; and if he will make a statement. (318681)

We do not have detailed records of all terrorist incidents in India for the period requested. However the significant terrorist incidents (for which we have information) since February 2007 are as follows:

On 13 February 2010, a bomb exploded in Pune, Maharashtra. Nine people were killed and up to 53 were injured.

On 16 October 2009, a bomb exploded in the town of Margao, Goa, killing one person.

From 26-29 November 2008, terrorists attacked a number of sites in Mumbai, including luxury hotels, a railway station and a restaurant. Over 190 people were killed and more than 325 were injured. British nationals were among the casualties.

On 30 October 2008, 11 bombs exploded in Assam. Areas affected were Guwahati and the Barpeta, Bongaigoan and Kokrajhar districts. 77 people were killed and over 300 were injured.

On 21 October 2008, a bomb exploded in Imphal, Manipur killing 17 people and injuring many others.

On 27 September 2008, a bomb exploded in New Delhi. Two people were killed and 24 were injured.

On 13 September 2008 five bombs exploded in New Delhi, 30 people were killed and 90 were injured.

On 26 July 2008, a series of bombs exploded in Ahmadabad, Gujarat and the surrounding area resulting in up to 49 fatalities and over 100 injured.

On 25 July 2008 there were a series of bomb blasts in Bangalore, South Eastern India resulting in at least two fatalities and multiple injuries.

On 13 May 2008, there were a series of bomb blasts in Jaipur, western India, resulting in 60 fatalities and 200 casualties

On 13 December 2007, a train travelling from Dibrugarh to Guwahati was the target of a bomb blast, which resulted in five deaths.

On 23 November 2007, there were a series of explosions in the state of Uttar Pradesh resulting in at least 13 fatalities with multiple injured.

On 26 September 2007 a number of bombs were discovered in the Andheri suburb of the city of Mumbai near areas where large crowds gathered to welcome home the returning Indian cricket team following their victory at the Twenty20 World Championship tournament in South Africa.

On 25 August 2007 at least 40 people were killed and 56 injured when two bombs exploded in Hyderabad.

On 19 February 2007 explosions occurred in two carriages of the Samjhauta Express, travelling from Delhi to Lahore. 66 people died and over 50 passengers were injured.

Accurate records of casualties incurred are often difficult to obtain. Therefore in many cases we can only provide estimates. The UK is working closely with the Indian authorities to address the terrorist threat to India and the region.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to support the Government of India in combating terrorism in the subcontinent; and if he will make a statement. (318682)

The UK works with India to reduce the risk to India and to the UK and its interests overseas from international terrorism, through a range of operational and technical co-operation on counter-terrorism. We are closely engaged with India on tackling terrorism and developing our CT relationship, particularly in light of the devastating attacks in Mumbai in November 2008.

At my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's Summit in January 2008, the UK and India agreed to co-operate on security for major sporting events, particularly on preparations for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi this year. Indian officials visited the UK in July 2009 where a number of areas for co-operation were agreed, including assistance on crowd control and venue security management. A UK team subsequently travelled to Delhi in September for a Commonwealth Games security conference in Delhi. UK Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, John Yates, visited Delhi in January 2010 to discuss security preparations for the Games and offer UK support.