The Centre, which is examining the possibility of the banned Indian Mujahideen playing a role in Wednesday’s bomb blasts in Pune, described the four explosions as a “coordinated strike”.
Top intelligence officials admitted Thursday that the IM is still capable of striking anywhere in the country and that it appeared the strikes had failed due to faulty IEDs.
The IEDs contained a cocktail of shrapnel, ammonium nitrate paste, digital wristwatch timer and a nine-volt battery, investigators said, adding that the damage could have been severe had the bombs gone off as intended. The evidence and modus operandi points towards the IM, a top official said.
Investigators have hit a hurdle as some CCTV cameras at the explosion sites were found to be non-functional. The CCTV cameras installed at Dena Bank, McDonald’s and Bal Gandharva traffic square, near where the explosions occurred, have not yielded any clue so far and some of them were non-functional, sources in the investigative agencies said on condition of anonymity.
Sources said police has zeroed in on a cycle shop owner from whom they are taking sketches of three persons who had purchased cycles and had baskets installed after paying cash.
What is a matter of real concern for the security brass is that IM sleeper cells continue to exist in various cities while at least half a dozen top IM leaders, including Mohsin Choudhary from Pune, are believed to be hiding in Pakistan and other neighbouring countries.
Asked to describe the four explosions after he took charge as Union home minister, Mr Sushilkumar Shinde said, “I cannot say what sort of attack it was.”
However, he said the Centre has taken the explosions “very seriously” and that investigators are looking for clues. Mr Shinde has decided not to visit Pune immediately.
On Thursday, Union home secretary R.K. Singh said forensic experts were examining the two unexploded IEDs and the nature of the four explosions.
“There are three detonators in each and other peculiarities. Investigations are on. We are making progress,” he said.
Sources said the police teams have zeroed in on a cycle shop owner from where they are taking sketches of three persons who had purchased cycles and had baskets installed after paying cash.
The government has decided not to hand over the case to the NIA immediately; the NIA will only assist investigations for now. Not ruling out an IM hand in the blasts, Mr Singh said, “Since the blasts have taken place within an area of 500 metres, and within a span of 45 minutes, it appears to be a coordinated act. I am sure there was a plan behind it.”
The MHA refused to give a clean chit to Dayanand Patil, who was injured in the blast, saying he is still
under investigation.
Mr Patil had told the police that he had visited the dharna by Anna Hazare’s India Against Corruption.