2001-2002 Terror Events

Death of Ahmad Shah Massoud – Sept 9, 2001

Ahmad Massoud played a major role in driving out the Soviet army from Afghanistan, and later became the defense Minister in Afghanistan. With the rise of Taliban, the new government collapsed & he served as commander of Northern Alliance – United Islamic Front for the Salvation of Afghanistan. He was assassinated by Al Qaeda agents, following which he was named “National Hero” and the day of his death was declared a National holiday – “Massoud Day.” And He was nominated for the Nobel prize.

The 9/11 WTC Attack USA

Bahawalpur Church attack, Pakistan

In Pakistan, in Oct 29, 2001, armed militants attacked a church and shot 16 Christians including women & children for revenge to protest against US bombing of Afghanistan.

Indian Parliament attack

On December 13, 2001, five Pakistani nationals attacked the Indian Parliament. The terrorists entered in a car displaying Home Ministry stickers through the VIP gate. The terrorists used AK- 47 rifles, blasted explosives & hurled grenades. After a 45-minute battle, with 9 policemen being killed, all terrorists were shot dead. Ministers and MPs were sealed within the premises by security forces inside the Central Hall of Parliament ensuring their safety. The Indian Government has blamed LeT and JeM. Afzal Guru and 4 JeM terrorists were given death penalty, but the punishment was stayed. India asked Pakistan to ban LeT and JeM but Pakistan responded by putting their armed forces on high alert following which Indian forces did the same.

The Shoe Bomb

On a Paris-Miami flight on Dec. 22, 2001, Richard C. Reid, a British citizen, a suspected member of Al Qaeda tried to set his bombs on fire which were hidden in his sneakers. Reid was overpowered by flight attendants & was sentenced to life imprisonment.

The El Ghriba synagogue bombing, Tunisia

In Tunisia, On April 11, 2002, a natural gas truck detonated in front of the synagogue, killing 14 German tourists, 5 Tunisians and wounded 30 more. This was carried out by Al Qaeda.

Jaunpur train crash, UP, North India

The Students Islamic Movement of India caused sabotage by breaking a rail track causing derailment of a passenger train on 13 May 2002. 13 train compartments were thrown into the air and dragged off the rails, clashing some into each other.

Karachi US Consulate bombing

On June 14, 2002, a truck loaded with fertilizer bomb driven by a suicide bomber was rammed outside the US Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan. The mortality stats -12 dead and 51 injured. A terror group called Al-Qanoon was responsible for the attack, with probable connections to Al-Qaeda & Harkat-ul-Mujahideen.

Akshardham Temple attack

The Akshardham Temple attack in Gandhinagar, Gujarat (West India) occurred on September 25, 2002. Two heavily armed terrorists entered the temple complex, through 2 gates opened sporadic fire, killing 29, injuring 79. The Indian National Security Guard (NSG) surrounded the temple and intervened successfully rescuing 500 devotees. 1 Police officer & 1 NSG commando died in the action.

Bali bombings

The 2002 Bali bombings in Kuta, Bali (Indonesia) occurred on 12 October 2002. It was the deadliest act of terrorism in Indonesia, killing 202 people, 152 foreign nationals (including 88 Australians) and some Indonesians. A further 240 people were injured. Members of Jemaah Islamiyah, Islamist group were convicted and sentenced to death.

Zamboanga bombings

The 2002 Zamboanga bombings in Southern Phillipines were on the 2nd, 17th and 21 October 2002. 11 dead ,180 wounded . Abu Sayyaf, an Islamic extremist group, working with Al-Qaida was responsible.

Kurnool train crash

On December 21, Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh (South India) a passenger train was derailed by an LeT Activist causing a train crash, killing 20.