There was a time when terrorism was restricted to Jammu & Kashmir. Although there were several incidents outside J&K, the trend of bringing terror into the other parts of the country started with the July 11, 2006, train bombings in Mumbai.

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Immediately after the incident, Mumbai police sprang into action and detained around 300 persons suspected to be involved in the blasts. Three days after the incident, the LeT claimed responsibility for the attack and even said in an email that 16 persons had carried out the attack.

The police zeroed down on 15 activists of the Students of Islamic Movement of India and also a LeT western commander in connection with the case. The probe hit several road blocks and even the run up to the trial was not smooth. Although the main conspirators continue to walk scot-free, the Mumbai police claim that the persons who carried out the attack have been put behind bars.

A needle of suspicion was raised when all these persons retracted their statements of confession in court alleging torture by the Mumbai police. They also alleged that the confessions were forced upon them.

Even as the case went to trial, the accused refused to hire a lawyer and even accept the amicus curiae appointed by the court on the ground that they had no faith in the judge. The trial began only in late 2007 and is underway at present.

Image: Forensic experts collecting samples from a damaged coach at the blast site at suburban Kandivli in Mumbai.
Photograph: Prakash Singh/AFP/Getty Images