2023 Kerala bombing explained

Kalamassery Convention Centre Blast
Location:Zamra International Convention & Exhibition Centre, Kalamassery, Kerala, India
Time:9:40 AM
Timezone:GMT +5:30
Target:Jehovah's Witnesses Convention
Type:Bombing
Fatalities:8
Injuries:50+
Perp:Dominic Martin
Motive:Indian ultra-nationalism
Weapons:Improvised explosive device

On 29 October 2023, a series of improvised explosive device (IED) blasts took place during a convention of Jehovah's Witnesses in Kalamassery, a suburb of Kochi, India.[1] [2] Five women, two men, and a child were killed and more than fifty other people were injured when the group was holding a Sunday morning session of their annual regional convention in southern India's Kerala state.[3] [4] A man shortly surrendered at the Kodakara police station, claiming to be responsible for the blast. The motive of the blast is still under investigation.[5] [6]

Incident

On the morning of 29 October 2023, the final day of a three-day programme,[7] about 2500 members of Jehovah's Witnesses had gathered at the Zamra International Convention & Exhibition Centre, Kalamassery, Kerala, South India. The blasts occurred at 9:40 AM and fire was reported in the building located 10 km northeast of Kochi city. Witnesses say that there were multiple explosions, and that the hall was filled with smoke and fire. People rushed out of the centre in panic, and some were injured in the stampede. The first victim was found charred to death in the middle of the hall.[8] The injured were taken to nearby hospitals, and several are in critical condition.[9] [10]

Victims

, eight people have died as a result of the explosion, with three victims belonging to the same family.[11] The first reported fatality was Leona Paulos, a 55-year-old woman who was found charred to death at the blast spot.[12] A few hours later, Kumari Pushpan, a resident of Thodupuzha, died in the hospital.[13] On the next day, 12-year-old Libna, whose burns were 95%, succumbed to her injuries.[14] More than 50 others suffered burn injuries due to fire. 17 people had been admitted to different hospitals, 12 of whom were in intensive care with burns above 50-60%.[15] A week later, 61-year-old Molly Joy and 45-year-old Reena "Sally" Pradeepan, who is also Libna's mother, died while in intensive care.[16] [17] The sixth victim was Praveen Pradeepan, older brother of Libna and son of Reena, both of whom had died as a result of their injuries following the blast.Seventh victim, 78-year-old K.V. John, was undergoing treatment for injuries in the blast and died on 2 December 2023 and his wife Lilly John, 71, a retired bank employee, was the eighth victim who died on 7 December 2023.[18]

Suspect

Dominic Martin

Dominic Martin, a 57-year-old resident of Thammanam who claims to be a renegade member of the Jehovah's Witnesses, surrendered at a police station in Kodakara and confessed that he is behind the blast. Prior to surrendering, he posted a video on Facebook where he was seen saying that he resented the Witnesses' "anti-national" doctrines. Police were suspicious of Martin's claim, and took him to custody for further questioning.[19] [15]

Confession

As per the suspect's own confession, he planned the blast when he was working in Dubai.[20] Martin told the police that he used 8L of petrol and high-impact firecrackers to make the bomb.[21] Electronic components required for detonating the bomb were purchased from Ernakulam on the pretext of making remote control toys for children.[22]

Investigation

Initially, it was speculated that some Islamist terrorist groups might be behind the blasts and the incident was falsely connected to the ongoing Israeli–Palestinian conflict.[23] [24] However, further interrogation of Dominic Martin by police have revealed evidence that this was likely an insider attack.[25] Preliminary investigation indicated that an IED placed inside a tiffin box might have caused the blasts. Police also recovered four remote control devices from the storage space of Martin's scooter which he parked at the Kodakara police station before surrender.[26] [27]

Response

According to the Kerala Director General of Police Shaik Darvesh Saheb, preliminary investigation indicated that an improvised explosive device was utilized.[1] The Kerala government put the state on high alert after the blasts. Police and security forces have been deployed in sensitive areas, and checks are being carried out at all entry and exit points to the state.[28]

The National Security Guard, India's national counter-terrorism unit, moved one of its bomb disposal units from New Delhi to Kerala in order to conduct an investigation and collected evidence from the blast site.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the investigation into the blasts. The NIA is India's premier counter-terrorism agency, and it is investigating the possibility that the blasts were carried out by a terrorist group.[29] [30] [31] [32]

Shortly after the bombing occurred, false claims that it was linked to the 2023 Israel–Hamas war spread on social media.[33]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Devasia . Jose . Ponnezhath . Maria . Thomas . Chris . India police probe bomb blasts that killed three in Kerala . Reuters . 29 October 2023 . en . 29 October 2023 . 29 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231029090859/https://www.reuters.com/world/india/one-killed-several-injured-explosions-indias-southern-state-local-media-2023-10-29/ . live.
  2. News: 29 October 2023 . Kalamassery convention centre blast: Kochi resident claims responsibility, surrenders before Kerala Police . Orissa Post . Kochi . 30 October 2023 . 30 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231030081635/https://www.orissapost.com/kalamassery-convention-centre-blast-kochi-resident-claims-responsibility-surrenders-before-kerala-police/ . live.
  3. News: Kerala on high alert as explosion hits southern India Christian prayer gathering . The Independent . Shweta . Sharma . 29 October 2023 . en . 29 October 2023 . 29 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231029093322/https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/kerala-prayer-explosion-alert-india-christian-b2437862.html . live.
  4. News: Woman killed, several injured in explosion at a convention centre in Kerala's Kalamassery . The Hindu . 29 October 2023 . en-IN . 29 October 2023 . 29 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231029093322/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/people-killed-several-injured-in-explosion-at-a-convention-centre-in-kalamassery/article67472535.ece/amp/ . live.
  5. Web site: 2023-10-29 . Kerala Blast Live: '41 people hospitalised, special team probing incident,' says CM . 2023-10-29 . Hindustan Times . en . 29 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231029155004/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kerala-blast-news-live-updates-kochi-death-injured-101698559152546.html . live.
  6. Web site: 2023-10-29 . Kerala Bomb Blast News Kalamassery Convention Centre Blast Live: One killed, 36 injured in Kochi; IED device used for explosion, confirms state police chief . 2023-10-29 . The Times of India . en . 30 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231030010207/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/live-updates-kerala-kochi-kalamassery-convention-centre-blasts-explosions-prayer-meet-jehovahs-witnesses/liveblog/104795079.cms . live.
  7. Web site: 2023 Convention Program—"Exercise Patience"!. JW.org. Jehovah's Witnesses. 5 November 2023.
  8. Web site: Kalamassery blasts: Death toll climbs to 3 as 12-year-old girl succumbs to burns; police identify first victim . 2023-10-30 . OnManorama . 30 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231030105846/https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2023/10/30/kalamassery-blasts-girl-on-ventilator-support-dies-death-toll-climbs-three.html . live.
  9. Web site: Livemint . 2023-10-29 . Kerala Blast Live Updates: 'This is a horrific tragedy', says Kerala Governor . 2023-10-29 . mint . en . 29 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231029155439/https://www.livemint.com/news/india/kerala-blast-live-updates-explosion-convention-centre-kalamassery-one-person-died-20-injured-rescue-operation-underway-11698559375177.html . live.
  10. News: Kalamassery blasts: toll rises to three as 12-year-old girl succumbs to injuries . The Hindu . 30 October 2023 . 30 October 2023 . 30 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231030035109/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kalamassery-blasts-death-toll-rises-12-year-old-girl-injuries/article67475340.ece . live.
  11. News: Bureau . The Hindu . 2023-11-16 . Death toll in Kalamassery blasts rises to six . en-IN . The Hindu . 2023-11-21 . 0971-751X.
  12. Web site: Staff . T. N. M. . 2023-10-30 . 12-year-old victim of Kalamassery blasts succumbs to burn injuries . 2023-11-01 . The News Minute . en . 30 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231030130721/https://www.thenewsminute.com/kerala/12-year-old-victim-of-kalamassery-blasts-succumbs-to-burn-injuries . live .
  13. Web site: 2023-10-29 . കളമശ്ശേരി സ്ഫോടനത്തിൽ മരണം രണ്ടായി; ഗുരുതരാവസ്ഥയിലായിരുന്ന സ്ത്രീ മരിച്ചു . 2023-11-01 . News18 Malayalam . ml . 31 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231031035806/https://malayalam.news18.com/news/kerala/kerala-blast-news-updates-kalamassery-blast-kills-two-the-woman-who-was-in-critical-condition-died-nj-634557.html . live .
  14. Web site: 2023-10-30 . കളമശ്ശേരി സ്‌ഫോടനം: മരണസംഖ്യ മൂന്നായി, ചികിത്സയിലായിരുന്ന 12-കാരിയും മരിച്ചു . 2023-11-01 . Mathrubhumi . en . 31 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231031093601/https://www.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/kalamassery-blast-death-toll-rises-to-three-12-year-old-girl-who-was-undergoing-treatment-died-1.9028414 . live .
  15. News: Mollan . Cherylann . Padanna . Ashraf . 30 October 2023 . Kerala attacks: India police investigate deadly blasts targeting Jehovah's Witnesses . en-GB . BBC News . live . 2023-10-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231030102709/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-67259078 . 30 October 2023.
  16. Web site: മരിച്ച ലിബ്നയുടെ അമ്മ സാലിയും മരണത്തിനു കീഴടങ്ങി; കളമശേരി സ്ഫോടനത്തിൽ മരണം അഞ്ചായി . 2023-11-13 . www.manoramaonline.com . ml.
  17. Web site: IANS . 2023-11-06 . Kerala Blasts: Fourth Jehovah's Witness injured in the blast, dies . 2023-11-13 . The News Minute . en.
  18. Web site: Kalamassery blast: One more succumbs to injuries, death toll up to 7 .
  19. News: India police probe bomb blasts that killed two in Kerala . Reuters . 29 October 2023 . Devasia . Jose . Ponnezhath . Maria . Thomas . Chris . 29 October 2023 . 29 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231029090859/https://www.reuters.com/world/india/one-killed-several-injured-explosions-indias-southern-state-local-media-2023-10-29/ . live.
  20. Web site: 2023-11-01 . NIA അന്വേഷണം ദുബായിലേക്ക്; മാർട്ടിന് തലേദിവസം രാത്രിവന്ന ഫോൺകോളിനെക്കുറിച്ചും അന്വേഷണം . NIA probe into Dubai; Also investigating the phone call Martin received the night before . 2023-11-01 . Newspaper . en . 1 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231101135342/https://newspaper.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/kalamassery-blast-1.9032319 . live .
  21. News: Praveen . M. P. . 2023-10-30 . Kalamassery blast How the accused assembled the explosive device using gundu, petrol, remote and YouTube tutorial . en-IN . The Hindu . 2023-11-01 . 0971-751X . 31 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231031062036/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kalamassery-blast-a-tale-of-50-gundu-8-litres-of-petrol-a-remote-and-a-youtube-tutorial/article67477536.ece . live .
  22. Web site: Dominic Martin bought bomb components on pretext of making toys, assembled explosives in flat . 2023-11-01 . OnManorama . 2 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231102004941/https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2023/11/01/kalamassery-blasts-dominic-martin-bought-bomb-components-pretext-making-toys.html . live .
  23. Web site: 2023-10-29 . Kalamassery explosion triggers hate speech, fake news; Police warn of strict action . 2023-10-30 . English.Mathrubhumi . en . 30 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231030105025/https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/kalamassery-hate-speeches-misinformations-flood-social-media-despite-police-warning-1.9026068 . live.
  24. Web site: Varma . Aishwarya . 2023-10-29 . False Claims About Jews Being Targeted in Kerala Blasts Go Viral on Social Media . 2023-10-30 . TheQuint . en . 30 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231030105024/https://www.thequint.com/news/webqoof/narrative-of-kerala-blast-targeting-jews-viral-amid-israel-hamas-conflict . live.
  25. Web site: 2023-10-30 . Martin Dominic, Man Behind Kerala Blasts, Wanted to Teach Jehovah Witnesses a 'Lesson' Intel Sources . 2023-10-30 . News18 . en . 31 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231031173441/https://www.news18.com/india/martin-dominic-ernakulam-jehovah-witness-convention-centre-blast-intel-sources-exclusive-info-kerala-8639498.html . live.
  26. Web site: സ്റ്റേഷനിലെ തിരക്കൊഴിയാൻ ഡൊമിനിക് കാത്തുനിന്നത് അരമണിക്കൂർ; റിമോട്ട് കൺട്രോളുകളും കണ്ടെടുത്തു . 2023-11-13 . www.manoramaonline.com . ml.
  27. News: 2023-11-12 . Kalamassery blasts: Libna's mom dies, toll rises to five . The Times of India . 2023-11-13 . 0971-8257.
  28. Web site: 2023-10-29 . Kochi Convention Centre Blast Live Updates: Toll rises to two as woman undergoing treatment for burns succumbs . 2023-10-29 . The Indian Express . en . 29 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231029155438/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kerala/kerala-blast-kalamassery-jehovas-witness-convension-live-updates-9004213/ . live.
  29. News: Devasia . Jose . Ponnezhath . Maria . Thomas . Chris . 2023-10-29 . India police probe bomb blasts that killed two in Kerala . en . Reuters . 2023-10-29 . 29 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231029090859/https://www.reuters.com/world/india/one-killed-several-injured-explosions-indias-southern-state-local-media-2023-10-29/ . live.
  30. Web site: Man who claims to be from Jehovah's Witnesses surrenders, takes responsibility for Kochi blasts . The Telegraph . 29 August 2023 . 29 August 2023 . 29 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231029160524/https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/man-who-claims-to-be-from-jehovahs-witnesses-surrenders-takes-responsibility-for-kochi-blasts/cid/1976191 . live.
  31. Web site: Kalamassery convention centre blast: Police yet to record arrest of Dominic Martin . The Hindu . 29 October 2023 . 29 October 2023 . 29 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231029164845/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kalamassery-convention-centre-blast-police-yet-to-record-arrest-of-dominic-martin/article67473986.ece . live.
  32. Web site: Kalamassery blast: Islamic organisation demands strict action against those who spread rumours . Onmanorama . 1 November 2023 . 30 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231030141235/https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2023/10/30/kalamassery-blast-islamic-organisation-demands.html . live.
  33. Web site: Shah . Soham . October 30, 2023 . Blasts targeting Kerala's Jehovah's Witnesses falsely linked to Israel-Hamas conflict . 2023-10-31 . . en . 31 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231031191104/https://www.logicallyfacts.com/en/article/blasts-kerala-misinformation-israel-hamas . live.

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