Chronology of Significant Terrorist Incidents

Note: The incidents listed have met the US Government’s Incident Review Panel criteria. An International Terrorist Incident is judged significant if it results in loss of life or serious injury to persons, abduction or kidnapping of persons, major property damage, and/or is an act or attempted act that could reasonably be expected to create the conditions noted.

January

Venezuela
In El Amparo, armed militants kidnapped two persons, an Italian and Venezuelan citizen. On 17 May, a rebel defecting from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) released the two hostages.

West Bank
In Bayt Sahur, militants attacked a vehicle carrying two passengers, killing one person, who was a US-Israeli citizen, and wounding the other. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Battalion claimed responsibility.

India
In Kolkata (Calcutta), armed militants attacked the US Consulate, killing five Indian security forces and injuring 13 others. The Harakat ul-Jihad-I-Islami and the Asif Raza Commandoes claimed responsibility.

India
In Jammu, Kashmir, a bomb exploded in a crowded retail district, killing one person and injuring nine others. No one claimed responsibility.

Pakistan
In Karachi, armed militants kidnapped and killed a US journalist working for the Wall Street Journal newspaper. No one claimed responsibility.

Algeria
In Larbaa-Tablat Road, militants set up an illegal roadblock, killing three persons, including one Syrian. No one claimed responsibility.

Philippines
Two hikers on the slopes of the Pinatubo volcano were attacked by militants. One of the hikers, a US citizen, was killed.

February

France
In Saint-Jean-De-Luz, unidentified persons threw gasoline bombs at a police headquarters, causing material damage to police barracks and three parked vehicles but resulting in no injuries. No one claimed responsibility, but authorities suspect radical groups associated with the Basque Fatherland and Liberty.

West Bank
In Karnei Shomron, a suicide bomber attacked a pizzeria in an outdoor food court, killing four persons, two of whom were US citizens and wounding 27 others including two US citizens. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) claimed responsibility.

Colombia
In Antioquia, an Italian tourist was kidnapped at a checkpoint armed rebels had illegally set up. On 17 March in San Francisco, the rebels released the Italian tourist.

Jordan
In Amman, a bomb placed in a car was detonated by a timing device, killing an Egyptian and an Iraqi laborer who worked in a nearby food shop. The car belonged to the wife of the head of the Jordanian Anti-Terrorism Unit and was parked near their home. No one claimed responsibility.

March

West Bank
In Ariel, a suicide bomber entered a large supermarket collocated with a hotel and detonated the explosive device he was wearing, wounding 10 persons including a US citizen, according to media and US Embassy reporting. The PFLP claimed responsibility.

Israel
In Jerusalem, a suicide bomber entered a restaurant/cafe detonating the explosive device he was wearing, killing 11 persons and wounding 52 others including a US citizen, according to media and US Embassy reporting. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade claimed responsibility.

Colombia
In Cali, two US citizens were shot and killed by motorcycle-riding gunmen. The two US citizens were brothers who arrived in town the day before to negotiate the release of their father who had been taken captive by the FARC. No one claimed responsibility.

Pakistan
In Islamabad, during a Protestant service, several grenades were thrown inside a church used by diplomatic and local personnel, killing five persons—including two US citizens and 46 others, according to press reports. The Lashkar-e-Tayyiba probably is responsible.

Georgia
In Abkhazia, Georgian guerrillas kidnapped four Russian peacekeepers to negotiate an exchange for two Georgian gunmen who were being held by Russian authorities. On 21 March, the four Russian peacekeepers and their weapons were released in exchange for the two Georgian gunmen. Georgian guerrillas claimed responsibility.

Peru
In Lima, a vehicle bomb exploded at a shopping center some 50 meters from the US Embassy, killing nine persons, injuring 32 others, and causing major damage. Authorities suspect the Maoist Shining Path rebels and/or the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement. The dead included two police officers and a teenager but no US citizens. The attack occurred three days before the US President’s planned visit to Peru.

Israel
In Jerusalem, a suicide bomber detonated the explosive device he was wearing, killing three persons and wounding 86 others, including two US citizens, according to US Consulate and media reporting. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility.

India
In Shopiyan, Kashmir, militants threw several grenades into a busy market at midmorning, injuring 35 persons. No one claimed responsibility.

India
In Anantnag, Kashmir, militants tossed several grenades at a busy bus stand, injuring 17 persons. No one claimed responsibility.

India
In Rajouri, Kashmir, a bomb exploded in a sweet shop, injuring five persons. No one claimed responsibility.

Uganda
In Kalosaric, gunmen stopped a vehicle traveling on the Moroto-Kotido Road, killing three persons—an Irish Catholic priest, his driver, and his cook. Karamojong gunmen are probably responsible.

India
In Kadal, Kashmir, a grenade hurled at a police installation missed its target and landed in a group of civilians, killing two persons and injuring 20 others, including nine policemen. No one claimed responsibility.

Senegal
In Kafountine, Casamance Province, rebels attacked the coastal resort, killing five persons and wounding four others including a French citizen. The Casamance Movement of Democratic Forces is probably responsible.

West Bank
In Hebron, gunmen stopped and fired on a vehicle owned and operated by the Temporary Presence in Hebron (TIPH), killing two persons—a Turkish Army officer and a Swiss office worker—and wounding a Turkish Army officer, according to media and government reports. No one claimed responsibility. The Palestinian Authorities and the Israeli Army accuse each other of the incident.

Israel
In Netanya, a suicide bomber entered the crowded restaurant of a hotel and detonated the explosive device he was wearing, killing 22 persons including one US citizen and wounding 140 others. The Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS) claimed responsibility.

India
In Jammu, Kashmir, a bomb exploded at a Hindu temple, killing 10 persons, according to press reports. The Islamic Front has claimed responsibility.

West Bank
In Efrat, a suicide bomber standing next to an ambulance station detonated the explosive device he was wearing, injuring four persons including one US citizen, according to press and US Consulate reporting. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades claimed responsibility.

April

Nigeria
In Niger Delta, 10 oil workers contracted to the Royal Shell Oil Group were kidnapped by militant youths, according to press reports. Six of the hostages were foreign nationals, including one US citizen, one Filipino, and four Ghanaians.

India
In Gando, Kashmir, armed militants killed five persons and injured four others in their residence. No one claimed responsibility.

Tunisia
In Djerba, a suicide bomber crashed and detonated a propane gas truck into the fence of a historic synagogue, killing 16 persons including 11 German citizens, one French citizen, and three Tunisians and injuring 26 German citizens. The Islamic Army for the Liberation of the Holy Sites claimed responsibility.

Israel
In Jerusalem, a suicide bomber detonated the explosive vest she was wearing, killing six persons, including two Chinese citizens, and wounding 90 others. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade claimed responsibility.

India
In Pulwama, Kashmir, a grenade fired at a police vehicle missed its target, landing in a crowded bus stop, killing one person and injuring 13 others. No one claimed responsibility.

India
In Balhama-Rafiabad, armed militants killed five persons and injured two others. The Ikhwan are probably responsible.

India
In Gharat, Kashmir, a bomb planted under a bus was detonated by remote control, killing one person and injuring 21 others—nine security personnel and 12 civilians. No one claimed responsibility.

Colombia
In Bogota, according to US Embassy reporting, a car packed with 88 pounds of explosives was discovered adjacent to the World Business Port commercial building that houses the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and other international organizations. A policeman identified the vehicle as suspicious and called the bomb squad who disarmed the device. No one claimed responsibility.

May

Istanbul
In Istanbul, an armed gunman entered a large tourist hotel and took several Turkish nationals and one Bulgarian hostage, according to press and US Embassy reporting. About an hour later, all the hostages were released unharmed, and the gunman surrendered. No group claimed responsibility.

Colombia
In Quebradas, a section of the Cano Limon-Covenas pipeline was bombed, killing two persons, wounding four others, and causing millions of dollars in property damage. The FARC or National Liberation Army (ELN) is probably responsible.

Pakistan
In Karachi, a vehicle parked next to a Navy shuttle bus exploded, killing 10 French nationals and two Pakistanis and wounding 19 others—11 French nationals and eight Pakistanis—shattering windows in nearby buildings and leaving a large crater in the road, according to press reports. Al-Qaida is probably responsible.

Lebanon
In Tripoli, a bomb placed beside a US fast food restaurant—Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC)—detonated, wounding an employee, according to press reports. No one claimed responsibility.

Russia
In Kapiisk, Dagestan, militants detonated a remote-controlled bomb in the bushes as the May Day Parade was passing by on Main Street, killing 42 persons, including 14 soldiers, and wounding 150 others, including 50 soldiers, according to press reports. Islamist militants linked to al-Qaida are probably responsible.

Thailand
In Tachilek, a bomb exploded at a hotel, killing one Burmese national and injuring three others. No one claimed responsibility.

United Kingdom
In London, a timer-detonated bomb exploded at the Armenian Embassy. No casualties were reported, and no one claimed responsibility.

India
In Kaluchak, Jammu, militants fired on a passenger bus, killing seven persons, then entered a military housing complex killing three soldiers, four soldiers’ wives, and three children. The Al-Mansooran and Jamiat ul-Mujahedin claimed responsibility.

India
In Srinagar, Kashmir, a bomb exploded outside the high-security civil secretariat area, injuring six persons. No one claimed responsibility.

In Jammu, Kashmir, a bomb exploded at a fire services headquarters, killing two persons and injuring 16 others. No one claimed responsibility.

Colombia
In Srinagar, armed gunmen killed a senior Hurriyat conference leader, according to press reports. No one claimed responsibility.

India
In Kashmir, armed militants shot and injured a subeditor of a local English language newspaper, Kashmir Images. No one claimed responsibility.

June

India
In Kulgam, Kashmir, a grenade thrown into a crowd killed one person and injured seven others. No one claimed responsibility.

India
In Srinagar, armed militants threw a grenade into a paramilitary foot patrol, killing one person and injuring 13 others. No one claimed responsibility.

India
In Anantnag, armed militants threw a grenade into a police station, injuring 18 persons. No one claimed responsibility.

India
In Pindi, armed militants killed one person, injured three others, and damaged several houses. No one claimed responsibility.

Philippine military units on a rescue mission engaged terrorists from the ASG in a firefight that took the life of US citizen Martin Burnham, who had been held hostage along with his wife, for more than a year. She was wounded and freed.

India
In Rajouri, Kashmir, armed militants wounded six persons including three security personnel and damaged a television tower building. No one claimed responsibility.

Pakistan
In Karachi, a vehicle bomb exploded on the main road near the US Consulate and Marriott Hotel, killing 11 persons, injuring 51 others, including a US and a Japanese citizen, and damaging nearby buildings. Al Qaida or Al-Qa’nun is possibly responsible.

Israel
In Jerusalem, a suicide bomber jumped out of a car, ran into the concrete shelter at a bus stop, and detonated the explosive device he was wearing, killing six persons and wounding 43 others, including two US citizens. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades claimed responsibility.

Pakistan
In Neelum Valley, armed militants fired on a passenger bus sending it over a cliff, killing the driver and nine passengers and injuring 12 others. No one claimed responsibility.

Spain
In Fuengirola, a vehicle bomb exploded in a parking lot adjacent to a beach hotel/ apartment building injuring six persons, including four Britons, one Moroccan, and one Spaniard. The Basque Fatherland and Liberty is probably responsible.

India
In Kupwara, Kashmir, a bomb exploded at the State Law and Parliamentary Minister’s residence, injuring five police officers guarding the home. No one claimed responsibility.

India
In Nishat, Kashmir, armed militants killed a National Conference leader. No one claimed responsibility.

July

Algeria
In Larbaa, rebels detonated a homemade bomb in the downtown area, killing 35 persons, including two Nigerian citizens, and wounding 80 others. The Armed Islamic Group is possibly responsible.

India
In Indh, Kashmir, a bomb exploded near a water tank, killing three persons. No one claimed responsibility.

India
In Jammu, armed militants attacked a village, killing 27 persons. The Lashkar-e-Tayyiba is probably responsible.

Pakistan
In Mansehra, a grenade thrown into a group of European tourists visiting at an archeological site exploded, injuring 12 persons—seven Germans, one Austrian, one Slovak, and three Pakistanis. No one claimed responsibility.

India
In Anantnag, Kashmir, a bomb exploded in a government building, killing three persons and injuring nine others. No one claimed responsibility.

Israel
In Tel Aviv, two suicide bombers carried out an attack simultaneously near the old bus station, killing five persons, including one Romanian and two Chinese, and wounding 38 others, including one Romanian. The Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility.

India
In Sumber, Kashmir, armed militants killed three persons, all members of the Village Defense Committee. No one claimed responsibility.

India
In Rajouri, Kashmir, a grenade exploded in a crowded marketplace, killing one person and injuring 27 others. No one claimed responsibility.

India
In Batmaloo, Kashmir, militants threw a grenade into a crowded marketplace, injuring 15 persons. No one claimed responsibility.

West Bank
In Jerusalem, a bomb hidden in a bag that was placed on a table in the Frank Sinatra International Student Center, Hebrew University, detonated, killing nine persons including five US citizens and four Israeli citizens and wounding approximately 87 others including four US citizens, two Japanese citizens, and three South Korean citizens, according to media reports. The Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS) claimed responsibility.

August

Israel
In Safed, a suicide bomber boarded a bus and detonated the explosive device he was wearing, killing nine persons, including two Philippine citizens, and injuring 50 others, including an unspecified number of military personnel returning from leave. HAMAS claimed responsibility.

India
In Malik, Kashmir, a grenade was thrown into a crowded marketplace injuring 10 persons. No one claimed responsibility.

Pakistan
In Murree, gunmen attacked a Christian School attended by 146 children of missionaries from around the world, killing six persons—two security guards, a cook, a carpenter, a receptionist, and a private citizen—and injuring a Filipino citizen visiting her son. A group called al-Intigami al-Pakistani claimed responsibility.

Colombia
In Cuanata, a bomb exploded on a segment of the Canadian-owned Ocensa oil pipeline, causing oil spillage and environmental damage. The explosion forced the suspension of crude oil transport to the Port of Covenas. The FARC is responsible.

India
In Pahalgam, Kashmir, armed militants threw several grenades and then fired into a group of Hindu pilgrims, killing nine persons and injuring 32 others. The Lashkar-e-Tayyiba claimed responsibility.

India
In Anantnag, Kashmir, a bomb exploded at a bus stop, killing one person and injuring 21 others. No one claimed responsibility.

Germany
In Berlin, militants occupied the Iraqi Embassy, taking hostage six Iraqi nationals and injuring two persons. German police ended the five-hour siege and arrested the five militants. The Democratic Iraqi Opposition is responsible.

Afghanistan
In Kabul, a bomb exploded outside the United Nations main guesthouse, injuring two persons. There were 50 persons living at the guesthouse. No one claimed responsibility.

Ecuador
In Guayaquil, a pamphlet bomb exploded at a McDonald’s restaurant, injuring three persons and causing major property damage. The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Ecuador is responsible.

India
In Mahore, armed militants entered the private residence of a Revenue Department official who had been deployed on election duty, killing three persons. No one claimed responsibility.

September

3 September
India
In Langet, Kashmir, armed militants attacked a political rally, killing three persons and injuring four others. No one claimed responsibility.

India
In Kishtwar, Kashmir, a bomb exploded near the downtown area, injuring 19 persons. The Hizb ul-Mujahedin is possibly responsible.

Macedonia
In Skopje, a bomb exploded in a restaurant, injuring two persons including one Turkish citizen. No one claimed responsibility.

India
In Dodasanpal, Kashmir, armed militants killed five persons and injured one other. No one claimed responsibility.

India
In Dhamhal Hanjipora, Kashmir, militants hurled a grenade at the private residence of the Minister of Tourism, injuring four persons inside. No one claimed responsibility.

India
In Tikipora, Kashmir, armed militants killed the Law Minister and six security guards escorting him while he was out campaigning. Three different groups claimed responsibility: Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, Jamiat ul-Mujahedin, and Hizb ul-Mujahedin.

India
In Dhamhal Hanjipora, Kashmir, armed militants fired on then threw an improvised explosive device at the motorcade carrying the Minister of Tourism, killing a police officer and injuring two others. The Minister of Tourism escaped unharmed. No one claimed responsibility.

India
In Srinagar, Kashmir, armed militants shot and injured the leading editor of the Urdu Daily Srinagar Times at his private residence. No one claimed responsibility.

India
In Srinagar, militants lobbed a grenade at the office of a local political party, injuring a security guard. No one claimed responsibility.

West Bank
In Yahad, gunmen ambushed and overturned a vehicle on the Mevo Dotan-Hermesh Road, killing one person, an Israeli, and wounding a Romanian worker. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades claimed responsibility.

Israel
In Tel Aviv, a suicide bomber boarded a bus and detonated the explosive device concealed in his backpack, killing five Israelis and one UK citizen and wounding 52 others, according to media and US Embassy reporting. HAMAS claimed responsibility.

India
In Jammu, Kashmir, armed militants killed a senior National Conference Party worker in his home. No one claimed responsibility.

India
In Srinagar, Kashmir, armed militants opposed to Indian held elections, killed a political activist of the ruling National Conference Party. A National Conference leader stated that the Hizb ul-Mujahedin may be responsible.

22 September
India
In Shopian, Kashmir, armed militants threw grenades and then fired at the residence of the ruling National Conference legislator who was in residence at the time but was unharmed in the attack. No one claimed responsibility.

India
In Bandgam, Kashmir, armed militants shot and killed the Ruling Block president. No one claimed responsibility.

India
In Bijbiara, Kashmir, militants hurled a grenade at a vehicle belonging to the Jammu and Kashmir’s Peoples Democratic Party. The grenade missed its target and exploded on the roadside, injuring eight persons. No one claimed responsibility.

India
In Sangam, Kashmir, armed militants attempted to hurl a grenade at a political rally, but it missed the intended victims, exploded near a group of private citizens and injured eight persons. No one claimed responsibility.

India
In Srinagar, Kashmir, militants hurled a grenade at an army vehicle but missed its target and exploded in a crowded marketplace, injuring 12 persons and two police officers. No one claimed responsibility.

India
In Pulwama, Kashmir, a grenade exploded on the road, injuring 17 persons and five soldiers. The attack came right before India’s scheduled elections.

India
In Devsar, Kashmir, a landmine exploded under a vehicle carrying a National Congress Party member and three other persons. The explosion killed the three passengers and injured the National Congress Party member. No one claimed responsibility.

India
In Tral, Kashmir, militants threw a grenade at a bus station, killing one person and injuring 12 others, according to press reports. No one claimed responsibility.

In Ganderbal, Kashmir, armed militants killed a political activist belonging to the ruling National Conference Party. No one claimed responsibility.

India
In Manda Chowk, Kashmir, a timed device exploded on a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims, killing one person and injuring 18 others. No one claimed responsibility.

October

India
In Kathu, Kashmir, militants hijacked a minivan, driving it into a utility pole near an open-air vegetable market. The gunmen fired grenades at the minivan, killing all nine passengers. The Al-Arifeen, an offshoot group of the Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, claimed responsibility.

India
In Haihama, Kashmir, armed militants killed three political activists working with India’s ruling National Conference Party. The Al-Arifeen, an offshoot group of the Lashkar-e- Tayyaiba, claimed responsibility.

Yemen
In al-Dhabbah, a small boat carrying a large amount of explosives rammed the hull of the French oil tanker Limburg as it was anchored approximately 5 miles from port. The attack killed one person and wounded four others. Al-Qaida is probably responsible.

India
In Doda, Kashmir, armed militants hurled grenades and then fired into a polling station, causing no injuries. No one claimed responsibility.

India
In Kashmir, militants attempted to throw a grenade at a security patrol, but the grenade missed the target and exploded in a crowded marketplace, injuring 14 persons. No one claimed responsibility.

Kuwait
On Failaka Island, gunmen attacked US soldiers while they were conducting a non-live-fire exercise, killing one US Marine and wounding one other. Al-Qaida claimed responsibility.

Indonesia
In Manado, a bomb exploded near the Philippine Consulate, damaging the front gate and breaking several windows. No one claimed responsibility.

Indonesia
In Bali, a car bomb exploded outside the Sari Club Discotheque on Legian Street, a busy tourist area filled with nightclubs, cafes, and bars, killing at least 187 international tourists and injuring about 300 others. The resulting fire also destroyed the nearby Padi Club and Panin Bank and other buildings and cars. Al-Qaida claimed responsibility for this attack.

India
In Onagam, armed militants killed three persons and injured two others near a mosque. No one claimed responsibility.

Russia
In Moscow, 50 armed Chechen rebels took control of the Palace of Culture Theater to demand an end to the war in Chechnya. The theater was rigged with landmines and explosive devices to control hostages and promote leverage with Russian authorities. The rebels held more than 800 hostages including foreign nationals from the United Kingdom, France, Belarus, Germany, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Bulgaria, Netherlands, Ukraine, Israel, Austria, United States, and two permanent residents of the United States. During the three-day siege, rebels killed one Russian police officer and five Russian hostages.

On 26 October, the third day of the siege, Russian Special Forces administered the anesthetic gas fentanyl through the ventilation system. Commandos stormed the theater and killed all of the Chechen rebels after a brief gun battle. In the rescue attempt, 124 hostages died including citizens from Russia (115), United States (1), Azerbaijan (1), Netherlands (1), Ukraine (2), Armenia (1), Austria (1), Kazakhstan (1), and Belarus (1). Chechen rebels led by Movsar Barayev claimed responsibility.

Russia
In Moscow, an explosive device described as a shrapnel-filled artillery shell equivalent to five kilograms of TNT exploded in an automobile parked in a McDonald's parking lot, killing one person and injuring eight others. The explosion caused major damage to the restaurant. The explosive device was similar to the type commonly used in Chechnya. Russian authorities arrested a Chechen male in connection with the explosion. No one claimed responsibility.

Jordan
In Amman, press reports stated that gunmen shot and killed a US diplomat, the senior administrator at the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The Honest People of Jordan claimed responsibility.

November

Turkey
In Istanbul, an Israeli Arab attempted to hijack El Al Flight 581, 15 minutes before landing. The passenger ran toward the cockpit, attacked the stewardess with a penknife, and demanded that she open the cockpit door. Security guards simultaneously overpowered the man and took him into custody. Shin Bet stated that his actions were nationalistically motivated. No one claimed responsibility.

Israel
In Jerusalem, a suicide bomber entered a bus on Mexico Street near Kiryat Menachem and detonated the explosive device he was wearing, killing 11 persons including a Romanian citizen and wounding 50 others, according to media and US Consulate reports. HAMAS claimed responsibility.

In Kuwait City, a Kuwaiti police officer stopped and shot two US soldiers driving a rental car, wounding both, according to media and US Embassy reports. The military personnel were both in uniform and armed but did not return fire. No group claimed responsibility.

In Sidon, a gunman shot and killed a US citizen who was an office manager/nurse for a church-run health facility, according to media and US Embassy reports. The female victim, married to a citizen of the United Kingdom, was shot as she entered the facility. An’ Asbat al-Ansar–linked extremist is probably responsible.

India
In Jammu, Kashmir, armed militants attacked the Reghunath and Shiv temples, killing 13 persons and wounding 50 others. The Lashkar-e-Tayyiba claimed responsibility for this attack.

Kenya
In Mombasa, a vehicle containing three suicide bombers drove into the front of the Paradise Hotel and exploded, killing 15 persons including three Israelis and 12 Kenyans and wounding 40 others including 18 Israelis and 22 Kenyans. Al-Qaida, the Government of Universal Palestine in Exile, and the Army of Palestine claimed responsibility. Al-Ittihad al-Islami (AIAI) is probably linked to the attack.

In Mombasa, two SA-7 Strela antiaircraft missiles were launched but missed downing a Arkia Boeing 757 taking off from Mombasa enroute to Israel. The aircraft carried 261 passengers and continued its flight. Al-Qaida, the Government of Universal Palestine in Exile, and the Army of Palestine claimed responsibility. AIAI is probably linked to the attack according to reports.

India
In Awantipora, Kashmir, a grenade exploded, injuring four persons. No one claimed responsibility.

India
In Srinagar, Kashmir, a bomb exploded near a police vehicle, injuring seven persons. No one claimed responsibility.

December

India
In Srinagar, Kashmir, authorities safely defused a bomb found at a bus station. No one claimed responsibility.

Pakistan
In Karachi, a bomb exploded at the Macedonia Consulate destroying the consulate building. When the authorities searched through the debris, they found three local workers with their throats slit. No one claimed responsibility.

India
In Rajpora Chowk, Kashmir, militants threw a grenade toward a vehicle carrying several military officers, but it missed its mark and landed near a group of private citizens, injuring eight persons. No one claimed responsibility.

In Damhal Hanjipora, Kashmir, militants threw a grenade and fired shots at the private residence of a former minister. The Lashkar-e-Tayyiba probably is responsible.

In Pulwama, Kashmir, armed militants killed the brother of the recently slain Law Minister outside his private residence. The militants threw a grenade then fired shots at him. The Lashkar-e-Tayyiba claimed responsibility in a communique to a local television station.

In Bombay, a bomb exploded at a local McDonald’s restaurant located in a busy rail station mall, injuring 23 persons. The bomb consisted of gunpowder, nails, and iron balls and followed a bomb attack on 6 December at a McDonald’s outlet in the Indonesian city of Makassar. No one claimed responsibility.

In Makassar, a bomb exploded in a McDonald’s restaurant, killing three persons, injuring 11 others, and causing major damage to the restaurant. No one claimed responsibility though police are focusing on a hardline Islamic group, Laskar Jundullah.

India
In Yaripora, Kashmir, militants lobbed a handgrenade at a parked military vehicle, but it missed its target and landed near a group of private citizens, injuring 15 persons, three military personnel, and causing major damage to the military vehicle. No one claimed responsibility.

India
In Kashmir, armed militants killed a newly elected state legislator. No one claimed responsibility.

Pakistan
In Islamabad, authorities safely dismantled several grenades and about 30 rounds of ammunition, which had been placed in a bag near a church where local and Western worshippers were to gather for Christmas services. An anonymous phone call to the local authorities had warned that a bomb had been placed near the church. No one claimed responsibility.

Philippines
In Zamboanga del Norte, armed militants ambushed a bus carrying Filipino workers employed by a local Canadian mining company, killing 13 persons and injuring 10 others. Police said that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) had been extorting money from the workers’ employer, the Calgary-based mining firm Toronto Ventures Inc. Pacific. The Catholic charity Caritas-Philippines said that the Canadian mining company has been harassing tribesmen opposed to mining operations on their ancestral lands. Authorities have accused the MILF of carrying out the attack.

Chechnya
In Grozny, suicide bombers drove two trucks packed with explosives to the headquarters of Chechnya’s pro-Moscow government building and detonated them, killing 72 persons and wounding 210 others. Chechen officials believe the explosives had the force of one ton of TNT and left a 20-foot-wide crater. The explosions destroyed the government building and caused extensive damage to surrounding government facilities. The Kavkaz Center, which operates a Chechen Web site, reported that Chechen shaheeds (martyrs) were responsible.

30 December
Yemen
In Jibla, a gunman entered a Baptist missionary hospital, killing three persons and wounding one other, all US citizens. The gunman is believed to have acted alone. He admitted, however, to being affiliated with the Islah Party and coordinated the attack with Ali al-Jarala who had killed Yemeni Socialist Party leader Jarala Omar.