2023 Kerala bombing

IED attack in India

Kalamassery Convention Centre Blast

2023 Kerala bombing (Kerala)

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2023 Kerala bombing (India)

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Location| Zamra International Convention & Exhibition Centre, Kalamassery, Kerala, India
Coordinates| 10°03′32″N 76°21′34″E﻿ / ﻿10.05889°N 76.35944°E﻿ / 10.05889; 76.35944
Date| 29 October 2023 (2023-10-29)
9:40 AM (GMT +5:30)
Target| Jehovah's Witnesses Convention

Attack type

| Bombing
Weapons| Improvised explosive device
Deaths| 8
Injured| 50+
Perpetrator| Dominic Martin
Motive| Indian ultra-nationalism

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

[edit]

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[3] 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.[5] 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

[edit]

As of 7 December 2023[update], 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.[11] 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

[edit]

### Dominic Martin

[edit]

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

[edit]

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 8 L (2.1 U.S. gal) 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

[edit]

Initially, it was speculated that some Islamist terrorist groups might be behind the blasts and the incident was connected to the ongoing Israeli–Palestinian conflict.[23][24] Initial interrogation of the accused by police have thought that this was likely an insider attack but later developments proved that the accused had foreign links.[25] Preliminary investigation indicated that an IED placed inside a tiffin box might have caused the blasts.[15] 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]

### Interpol assistance

[edit]

In early 2025, the case had a significant turn with investigators uncovering foreign connections linked to the accused, Dominic Martin. According to sources, the accused had sent images of the bomb he allegedly prepared to three foreign phone numbers. Following this findings, authorities sought Interpol’s assistance to further the probe. The accused had spent a long time in Dubai, but due to legal restrictions, a detailed investigation did not take place there. With the state government's approval, Kerala Police’s Interpol liaison officer, Crime Branch IG, is now authorized to engage with UAE authorities, pending central government clearance. The investigation will focus on the accused’s activities and personal connections in Dubai. Officials believe this could provide crucial insights into the case, and any additional evidence uncovered may be presented in court. The chargesheet in the case was filed in April 2024, but authorities continue to probe possible external influences and motives behind the attack.[28]

## Response

[edit]

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.[29][3]

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.[3]

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.[30][31][32][33]

Shortly after the bombing occurred, false claims that it was linked to the Gaza war spread on social media.[34]

## See also

[edit]

* List of terrorist incidents in India
* 2023 Hamburg shooting – March 2023 attack against Jehovah's Witnesses in Germany

## References

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1. ^ a b Devasia, Jose; Ponnezhath, Maria; Thomas, Chris (29 October 2023). "India police probe bomb blasts that killed three in Kerala". Reuters. Archived from the original on 29 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
2. ^ "Kalamassery convention centre blast: Kochi resident claims responsibility, surrenders before Kerala Police". Orissa Post. Kochi. 29 October 2023. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
3. ^ a b c d Sharma, Shweta (29 October 2023). "Kerala on high alert as explosion hits southern India Christian prayer gathering". The Independent. Archived from the original on 29 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
4. ^ "Woman killed, several injured in explosion at a convention centre in Kerala's Kalamassery". The Hindu. 29 October 2023. Archived from the original on 29 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
5. ^ a b "Kerala Blast Live: '41 people hospitalised, special team probing incident,' says CM". Hindustan Times. 29 October 2023. Archived from the original on 29 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
6. ^ "Kerala Bomb Blast News | Kalamassery Convention Centre Blast Live: One killed, 36 injured in Kochi; IED device used for explosion, confirms state police chief". The Times of India. 29 October 2023. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
7. ^ "2023 Convention Program—"Exercise Patience"!". JW.org. Jehovah's Witnesses. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
8. ^ "Kalamassery blasts: Death toll climbs to 3 as 12-year-old girl succumbs to burns; police identify first victim". OnManorama. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
9. ^ Livemint (29 October 2023). "Kerala Blast Live Updates: 'This is a horrific tragedy', says Kerala Governor". mint. Archived from the original on 29 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
10. ^ "Kalamassery blasts: toll rises to three as 12-year-old girl succumbs to injuries". The Hindu. 30 October 2023. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
11. ^ a b "Death toll in Kalamassery blasts rises to six". The Hindu. 16 November 2023. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
12. ^ Staff, T. N. M. (30 October 2023). "12-year-old victim of Kalamassery blasts succumbs to burn injuries". The News Minute. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
13. ^ "കളമശ്ശേരി സ്ഫോടനത്തിൽ മരണം രണ്ടായി; ഗുരുതരാവസ്ഥയിലായിരുന്ന സ്ത്രീ മരിച്ചു". News18 Malayalam (in Malayalam). 29 October 2023. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
14. ^ "കളമശ്ശേരി സ്‌ഫോടനം: മരണസംഖ്യ മൂന്നായി, ചികിത്സയിലായിരുന്ന 12-കാരിയും മരിച്ചു". Mathrubhumi. 30 October 2023. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
15. ^ a b c Mollan, Cherylann; Padanna, Ashraf (30 October 2023). "Kerala attacks: India police investigate deadly blasts targeting Jehovah's Witnesses". BBC News. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
16. ^ "മരിച്ച ലിബ്നയുടെ അമ്മ സാലിയും മരണത്തിനു കീഴടങ്ങി; കളമശേരി സ്ഫോടനത്തിൽ മരണം അഞ്ചായി". www.manoramaonline.com (in Malayalam). Retrieved 13 November 2023.
17. ^ IANS (6 November 2023). "Kerala Blasts: Fourth Jehovah's Witness injured in the blast, dies". The News Minute. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
18. ^ "Kalamassery blast: One more succumbs to injuries, death toll up to 7".
19. ^ Devasia, Jose; Ponnezhath, Maria; Thomas, Chris (29 October 2023). "India police probe bomb blasts that killed two in Kerala". Reuters. Archived from the original on 29 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
20. ^ "NIA അന്വേഷണം ദുബായിലേക്ക്; മാർട്ടിന് തലേദിവസം രാത്രിവന്ന ഫോൺകോളിനെക്കുറിച്ചും അന്വേഷണം" [NIA probe into Dubai; Also investigating the phone call Martin received the night before]. Newspaper. 1 November 2023. Archived from the original on 1 November 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
21. ^ Praveen, M. P. (30 October 2023). "Kalamassery blast | How the accused assembled the explosive device using gundu, petrol, remote and YouTube tutorial". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
22. ^ "Dominic Martin bought bomb components on pretext of making toys, assembled explosives in flat". OnManorama. Archived from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
23. ^ "Kalamassery explosion triggers hate speech, fake news; Police warn of strict action". English.Mathrubhumi. 29 October 2023. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
24. ^ Varma, Aishwarya (29 October 2023). "False Claims About Jews Being Targeted in Kerala Blasts Go Viral on Social Media". TheQuint. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
25. ^ "Kalamassery blasts probe: Cops get nod to approach authorities in UAE". MSN. 4 February 2025. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
26. ^ "സ്റ്റേഷനിലെ തിരക്കൊഴിയാൻ ഡൊമിനിക് കാത്തുനിന്നത് അരമണിക്കൂർ; റിമോട്ട് കൺട്രോളുകളും കണ്ടെടുത്തു". www.manoramaonline.com (in Malayalam). Retrieved 13 November 2023.
27. ^ "Kalamassery blasts: Libna's mom dies, toll rises to five". The Times of India. 12 November 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
28. ^ "Kalamassery blasts probe: Cops get nod to approach authorities in UAE". The New Indian Express. 4 February 2025. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
29. ^ "Kochi Convention Centre Blast Live Updates: Toll rises to two as woman undergoing treatment for burns succumbs". The Indian Express. 29 October 2023. Archived from the original on 29 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
30. ^ Devasia, Jose; Ponnezhath, Maria; Thomas, Chris (29 October 2023). "India police probe bomb blasts that killed two in Kerala". Reuters. Archived from the original on 29 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
31. ^ "Man who claims to be from Jehovah's Witnesses surrenders, takes responsibility for Kochi blasts". The Telegraph. 29 August 2023. Archived from the original on 29 October 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
32. ^ "Kalamassery convention centre blast: Police yet to record arrest of Dominic Martin". The Hindu. 29 October 2023. Archived from the original on 29 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
33. ^ "Kalamassery blast: Islamic organisation demands strict action against those who spread rumours". Onmanorama. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
34. ^ Shah, Soham (30 October 2023). "Blasts targeting Kerala's Jehovah's Witnesses falsely linked to Israel-Hamas conflict". Logically. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.

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