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Govt says it has some clues on Delhi blasts

     New Delhi: Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil has been monitoring the security situation in the Capital following the serial blasts here yesterday. Shivraj Patil, who was to have visited Andhra, has cancelled his visit to participate in the Cabinet Meeting this afternoon. The markets in the Capital have been open with very few shoppers and Delhi Police is taking all steps to restore normal activity by afternoon. Senior Police officials said that all markets would be thrown open in the afternoon to enable people go out for 'Dhanteras' today and tomorrow. Minister of State for Home Affairs Sriprakash Jaiswal has said the Centre was determined to nab the terrorists who carried out the three bomb blasts in the next one-two days. He said that Delhi Police was carrying out investigations in the case and had got some clues in the matter. "We have some clues and we shall reach the perpetrators of the crime in the next 24-48 hours. We will defeat the designs of the terrorists who have struck with the purpose of spreading terror among the people. It is too early to say who was behind it. We are looking into all angles," he said.

     Delhi police commissioner Dr KK Paul, who briefed Prime Minister about the blasts and investigation procedures late last night said that some people have been picked up for questioning. "Nobody has claimed responsibility, but some people are being questioned. Raids are being conducted and suspects are being picked up," he said. He further said that there was a general alert in the capital. "We had maintained a fairly high degree of alert but the incidents have happened," he said. Although officially there has been no word about the terrorist group that carried out the attacks, analysts believe that the modus operandi suggested the blasts to be the handiwork of the Kashmiri militant group Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT). Analysts believe that the timing of the blasts was to coincide with the Red Fort judgement and the manner, in which it was carried, provides ample evidence of the Lashkar's involvement behind the attacks.