S Hussain Zaidi's Black Friday: A Gripping Account of the 1993 Bombay Terror Attacks
Black Friday: The True Story Of The Bombay Bomb Blasts
On March 12, 1993, a series of explosions rocked Bombay, killing 257 people, injuring 713, and destroying property worth millions. It was one of the worst terrorist attacks in Indian history, orchestrated by a notorious underworld don named Dawood Ibrahim and his lieutenant Tiger Memon. The blasts were a retaliation for the communal riots that had engulfed Bombay a few months earlier, killing hundreds of Muslims.
Black Friday Book Hussain Zaidi Pdf Free 69
Black Friday is a book that tells the true story of this horrific event, written by S. Hussain Zaidi, a veteran crime reporter who has covered the Mumbai mafia for decades. Zaidi takes us into the heart of the conspiracy, revealing how it was planned, executed, and investigated. He also introduces us to the characters who played a role in this drama, from the masterminds to the foot soldiers, from the cops to the politicians, from the victims to their families.
Black Friday is a gripping account of one of India's darkest days, written with journalistic flair and meticulous research. It is a book that not only exposes the evil behind the blasts, but also celebrates the resilience of Bombay and its people.
The Plot
The plot of Black Friday begins with a meeting in Dubai, where Dawood Ibrahim decides to take revenge for the riots that had ravaged Bombay in December 1992 and January 1993. He assigns Tiger Memon, his trusted aide, to carry out the operation. Tiger Memon recruits his brother Yakub Memon, his cousin Anwar Memon, and several other associates to join him in this mission.
The conspirators travel to Pakistan, where they receive training in handling explosives and weapons from ISI agents. They also procure RDX, detonators, timers, AK-47s, hand grenades, and other materials from Karachi. They smuggle these items into India through various routes, using fishing boats, trucks, cars, and trains.
The terrorists divide themselves into teams and scout for targets in Bombay. They choose prominent landmarks such as the Bombay Stock Exchange, Air India Building, Shiv Sena Bhavan, Plaza Cinema, Zaveri Bazaar, Hotel Sea Rock, Hotel Juhu Centaur, and Sahar Airport. They also plant bombs in taxis and scooters to create more chaos.
On March 12, 1993, at 1:30 pm, the first bomb goes off at the Bombay Stock Exchange, followed by nine more blasts in quick succession. The city is plunged into panic and confusion, as people run for their lives, while the police and fire brigade struggle to cope with the situation. The blasts leave a trail of death and destruction, shattering the peace and harmony of Bombay.
The investigation of the case is handed over to the Crime Branch of the Bombay Police, led by Rakesh Maria, a young and dynamic officer. Maria and his team face many challenges and obstacles, as they try to crack the case. They have to deal with political pressure, media scrutiny, inter-agency rivalry, corruption, and lack of resources. They also have to deal with the cunning and elusive Tiger Memon, who manages to escape from India and evade arrest.
The book follows the twists and turns of the investigation, as the police track down the clues, interrogate the suspects, and gather the evidence. It also depicts the trials and tribulations of the accused, who are arrested, tortured, and prosecuted in court. The book ends with the verdict of the TADA court, which convicts 100 people and acquits 23 in 2007, after a long and arduous legal process.
The Characters
Black Friday features a large cast of characters, each with their own background, personality, and motivation. Some of the main characters are:
Dawood Ibrahim: The kingpin of the Bombay underworld, who masterminds the blasts from his base in Dubai. He is a ruthless and charismatic leader, who commands loyalty and fear from his followers. He is also a fugitive from justice, wanted by India and Interpol for various crimes.
Tiger Memon: The chief executor of the blasts, who oversees the entire operation from Pakistan. He is a loyal and trusted lieutenant of Dawood Ibrahim, who shares his hatred for India and Hindus. He is also a cunning and elusive operator, who manages to evade capture by changing his appearance and identity.
Yakub Memon: The brother of Tiger Memon, who plays a key role in arranging the finances and logistics for the blasts. He is an educated and successful chartered accountant, who runs a flourishing business in Bombay. He is also a devout Muslim, who believes in helping his community.
Anwar Memon: The cousin of Tiger Memon, who plays a key role in procuring and transporting the explosives and weapons for the blasts. He is a daring and adventurous smuggler, who operates in the high seas. He is also a loyal and devoted family man, who loves his wife and children.
Rakesh Maria: The chief investigator of the case, who leads the Crime Branch team. He is a young and dynamic officer, who has a sharp mind and a knack for solving complex cases. He is also a dedicated and honest cop, who does not compromise on his principles or ethics.
Badshah Khan: One of the main accused in the case, who plants bombs at several locations. He is a poor and illiterate driver, who joins the conspiracy out of desperation and greed. He is also a remorseful and repentant man, who cooperates with the police and turns approver.
Sanjay Dutt: A famous Bollywood actor, who gets involved in the case due to his association with some of the accused. He is a popular and charismatic star, who has a large fan following. He is also a naive and impulsive man, who makes some bad decisions that land him in trouble.
The Style
Black Friday is written in a journalistic style, based on Zaidi's extensive research and interviews with various sources. Zaidi uses simple and clear language to convey the facts and opinions of different people involved in the case. He also uses dialogue and description to create suspense and drama in his narration.
Zaidi does not take sides or pass judgments on any of the characters or events in his book. He presents both sides of the story, giving voice to the terrorists as well as the investigators, the accused as well as the victims. He also provides historical and political context to explain the background and motives behind the blasts.
Zaidi writes with journalistic flair and meticulous research. He does not sensationalize or dramatize his story for effect. He sticks to the facts and lets them speak for themselves. He also acknowledges his sources and references at the end of his book.
The Impact
The Impact
Black Friday has a profound impact on Bombay and India as a whole. It exposes the vulnerability of India's financial capital to terrorist attacks. It also exposes the nexus between crime, politics, religion, and terrorism in India's underworld. It raises questions about India's security, intelligence, and justice systems. It also sparks a wave of public outrage and demand for action.
The blasts also have a lasting effect on the lives of the people affected by them. The victims and their families suffer physical, emotional, and financial losses. The accused and their families suffer legal, social, and moral consequences. The investigators and their teams face professional, personal, and ethical challenges. The city and its people face a crisis of faith and identity.
The blasts also have some positive outcomes. They bring out the best in some people, who show courage, compassion, and solidarity in the face of adversity. They also inspire some reforms and initiatives, such as the creation of the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), the strengthening of the coastal security, and the improvement of the forensic facilities.
Black Friday is a book that not only chronicles a tragic event, but also reflects on its implications and lessons. It is a book that reminds us of the horrors of terrorism, but also of the hope of humanity. It is a book that challenges us to think critically and act responsibly.
Conclusion
Black Friday is a true story of crime and terror that shook Bombay and India in 1993. It is written by S. Hussain Zaidi, a journalist who has covered the Mumbai mafia for decades. It is based on his extensive research and interviews with various sources involved in the case.
The book tells the story of how Dawood Ibrahim and Tiger Memon planned and executed the blasts as a revenge for the communal riots that had killed hundreds of Muslims. It also tells the story of how Rakesh Maria and his team investigated the case and brought some of the culprits to justice.
The book introduces us to the characters who played a role in this drama, from the masterminds to the foot soldiers, from the cops to the politicians, from the victims to their families. It also gives us insights into the criminal mind, the underworld network, the political scenario, and the social fabric of Bombay.
The book is written in a journalistic style, with simple and clear language, dialogue and description, facts and opinions. It does not take sides or pass judgments on any of the characters or events. It presents both sides of the story, giving voice to the terrorists as well as the investigators, the accused as well as the victims.
The Impact
Black Friday has a profound impact on Bombay and India as a whole. It exposes the vulnerability of India's financial capital to terrorist attacks. It also exposes the nexus between crime, politics, religion, and terrorism in India's underworld. It raises questions about India's security, intelligence, and justice systems. It also sparks a wave of public outrage and demand for action.
The blasts also have a lasting effect on the lives of the people affected by them. The victims and their families suffer physical, emotional, and financial losses. The accused and their families suffer legal, social, and moral consequences. The investigators and their teams face professional, personal, and ethical challenges. The city and its people face a crisis of faith and identity.
The blasts also have some positive outcomes. They bring out the best in some people, who show courage, compassion, and solidarity in the face of adversity. They also inspire some reforms and initiatives, such as the creation of the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), the strengthening of the coastal security, and the improvement of the forensic facilities.
Black Friday is a book that not only chronicles a tragic event, but also reflects on its implications and lessons. It is a book that reminds us of the horrors of terrorism, but also of the hope of humanity. It is a book that challenges us to think critically and act responsibly.
Conclusion
Black Friday is a true story of crime and terror that shook Bombay and India in 1993. It is written by S. Hussain Zaidi, a journalist who has covered the Mumbai mafia for decades. It is based on his extensive research and interviews with various sources involved in the case.
The book tells the story of how Dawood Ibrahim and Tiger Memon planned and executed the blasts as a revenge for the communal riots that had killed hundreds of Muslims. It also tells the story of how Rakesh Maria and his team investigated the case and brought some of the culprits to justice.
The book introduces us to the characters who played a role in this drama, from the masterminds to the foot soldiers, from the cops to the politicians, from the victims to their families. It also gives us insights into the criminal mind, the underworld network, the political scenario, and the social fabric of Bombay.
The book is written in a journalistic style, with simple and clear language, dialogue and description, facts and opinions. It does not take sides or pass judgments on any of the characters or events. It presents both sides of the story, giving voice to the terrorists as well as the investigators, the accused as well as the victims.
The book has a profound impact on Bombay and India as a whole. It exposes the vulnerability of India's financial capital to terrorist attacks. It also exposes the nexus between crime, politics, religion, and terrorism in India's underworld. It raises questions about India's security, intelligence, and justice systems. It also sparks a wave of public outrage and demand for action.
FAQs
Where can I get a PDF copy of Black Friday for free?
You can try searching online for websites that offer free PDF downloads of books. However, be careful of viruses and malware that may infect your device. Also, be aware that downloading books without paying for them may be illegal or unethical.
Is Black Friday based on a true story or fiction?
Black Friday is based on a true story of the 1993 Bombay bomb blasts that killed 257 people and injured 713. The book is written by S. Hussain Zaidi, a journalist who has covered the Mumbai mafia for decades. He has interviewed various sources involved in the case, such as terrorists, investigators, victims, witnesses, lawyers, politicians, etc.
Who directed the movie adaptation of Black Friday and who starred in it?
The movie adaptation of Black Friday was directed by Anurag Kashyap, a renowned filmmaker who is known for his realistic and gritty movies. The movie starred Kay Kay Menon as Rakesh Maria, Pavan Malhotra as Tiger Memon, Aditya Srivastava as Badshah Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Asgar Mukadam, Imtiaz Ali as Yakub Memon, among others.
How accurate is Black Friday in depicting the events and characters of the blasts?
Black Friday is a fairly accurate depiction of the events and characters of the blasts, based on Zaidi's extensive research and interviews. However, some details may have been changed or omitted for the sake of clarity, brevity, or dramatization. The book is not a definitive account of the case, but a journalistic interpretation of it.
What are some other books by S. Hussain Zaidi that I can read?
Some other books by S. Hussain Zaidi that you can read are:
Dongri to Dubai: Six Decades of the Mumbai Mafia, which traces the history and evolution of the Mumbai underworld from the 1940s to the present day.
Mafia Queens of Mumbai: Stories of Women from the Ganglands, which profiles the lives and crimes of some of the most notorious female gangsters in Mumbai.
Byculla to Bangkok: Mumbai's Mafia Wars, which chronicles the rise and fall of some of the most powerful and violent gangs in Mumbai.
The Class of 83: The Punishers of Mumbai Police, which narrates the story of a batch of police officers who formed an elite squad to combat the mafia in Mumbai.
Eleventh Hour: An Explosive Thriller from India's No. 1 True Crime Writer, which is a fictional novel about a counter-terrorism operation in Mumbai.
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