Over the past couple days, there have been two explosive incidents targeting train stations abroad, reinforcing the vulnerability of soft targets.
Yesterday, three people were killed and another 79 injured in an alleged knife attack and subsequent bomb blast that took place at a train station in the Urumqi, the capital of China’s Xinjiang province. The incident occurred shortly after a train arrived from a mainly Han Chinese province. Two Muslim extremists are suspected of carrying out the attack, one of whom has been identified as 39-year-old ethnic Uighur, Sedierding Shawuti. Both extremists were killed after they detonated themselves as passengers disembarked from the train. The third casualty was a bystander. At the same time, Chinese President Xi Jingping was ending his visit to the area.
This type of bombing has not occurred in Urumqi in 17 years. It is unclear whether Xi was in the vicinity, although the attack was probably timed to occur during his visit. The incident was likely a challenge to the Chinese government by Uighur extremists, who oppose their rule. The Chinese government claims to have cracked down on the growth of violent extremism in the area, although yesterday’s attack exposes gaps in security.
Typical Uighur militant tradecraft includes crude yet deadly knife attacks, targeting both members of law enforcement and random passersby, which could also include foreign travelers. Additionally, the group uses explosives, as it is becoming increasingly clear they are targeting the unsuspecting public. The combined use of knives and explosives is alarming, as it shows the group’s developing capabilities.
Additionally, in India, twin explosions occurred onboard the Bangalore-Guwahati express train as it entered the Chennai Central railway station earlier today. One person was killed and 14 others wounded. The "low intensity" explosives were reportedly placed under two coach passenger seats on the train. There is additional speculation that the devices may have been triggered by a mobile device, but this has yet to be confirmed.
The situation is currently under investigation, and security has been heightened at major railway stations across the region. There are reports that at least one person was detained as a possible suspect, after he was found hiding on the train with explosives. The twin bombings occurred despite tightened security measures related to India's general elections, which may have been the motive for the attack. Additionally, there is speculation that Chennai may not have been the intended target, as the train was delayed.
MSA's Research and Intelligence Analysis (RIA) Group has been monitoring this situation closely and has identified the following implications:
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Public transportation remains an attractive target to terrorist organizations due to its accessibility to large crowds and inability to maintain a hardened security posture.
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Combined tactics are becoming more common, although explosives remain the primary techniques used in these types of incidents.
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The attacks also serve as a reminder to remain vigilant when traveling abroad, particularly in places with longstanding cultural and political tensions.
MSA Security's Research and Intelligence Analysis Group provides real-time intelligence on events and worldwide threats as they evolve.
