Bodh Gaya/New Delhi: There have been no major leads yet from CCTV footage of the blasts at the Mahabodhi temple even as the preliminary probe has found a timer device and traces of ammonium nitrate similar to that used by Indian Mujahideen modules in the past. The Bihar Police claims it has identified at least three suspects indulging in suspicious activities, but no arrests have been made so far.
After a tragic Sunday morning, teams of NIA, NSG and the Bihar Police completed their scrutiny of the blast site and on Monday, the Mahabodhi temple was finally thrown open to the public. On Monday, Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde claimed 10 blasts had rocked Bodh Gaya and not nine even as investigators struggled to find substantial clues.
The Bihar Police released a set of CCTV footage and claimed it has identified at least three suspects indulging in suspicious activities. The Bihar Police sources said teams have been dispatched to locate these suspects and ascertain their identity.
The NSG's forensic team has concluded that analogue clock was used in the timer device used in the bombs. The NSG also concluded that the explosives used were ammonium nitrate, sulphur and potassium mix and in a departure from the past, gas cylinders were used as containers.
Sources say the Intelligence Bureau and Delhi Police input about Indian Mujahideen and the potential connection between the possibility of this being a revenge attack for alleged atrocities against Rohingya Muslims is being investigated, but as yet one can be named with certainty. The police have found some markings on the cylinders, possibly instructions to operatives on where to place the bomb. Officials believe the bomb planters may not have been well versed with the temple topography.
The Bihar Police claims to be questioning suspects, but for the Home Ministry and the NIA, the field of investigation is wide open and if in the next few days, the police do not come up with credible leads, investigation could be formally handed over to the NIA.
Comments
0 comment