Special Correspondent
Pune: Thursday marked the 15th anniversary of the German Bakery bomb blast in Pune. Residents gathered at the German Bakery area in Koregaon Park to pay their respects to the innocent lives lost in the attack. Balasaheb Runwal and Shabnam Khan from Mere Apne organization held a one-day hunger strike to protest against this cowardly act of terrorism.
On February 13, 2010, terrorists from the Indian Mujahideen, including Yasin Bhatkal and Himayat Beg, carried out a bombing in Pune. The blast claimed 17 lives and injured 56 others. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the attack. To commemorate this, a one-day hunger strike was held, and participants also observed a moment of silence to express their protest. The ceremony began with a floral tribute by the colleagues of Shunayam from Holland, who also lost their lives in the blast.
Senior Police Inspector Sunil Thopte from Koregaon Park Police Station joined Balasaheb Runwal and Shabnam Khan as they ended their hunger strike by drinking lemon water.
For the last 14 years, Puneites have gathered to honor the victims of the blast. As in previous years, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., people were encouraged to attend and express their condemnation of the terrorist act. The call for participation was made by Runwal, Sunil Mane (President, Catalyst Foundation), Sunil Yadav (President, Dalit Sena), Dr. Mansi Jadhav, and Snehal Kharose from German Bakery.
Many residents of Pune responded to this call and paid their respects to the victims throughout the day. Dignitaries including Sujit Yadav, Harish Kakade, Pohaj Sheikh, and Janardan Jagtap were also present.
