Delhi
Police claims leads on 29/10 bomb blasts
by Maya Singh
New
Delhi: The police in the Indian capital Delhi have claimed
that they have firmed up a few concrete leads in their investigations
into the serial blasts that rocked the city on October 29.
Informed official sources said that the police is coming around
to the view that a single group -- the Lashkar-e-Toiba --
was responsible for all three blasts. However, the Home Ministry
and top brass of the Delhi Police are still saying that it
is too early to conclude who exactly was behind the attacks
in the markets of Paharganj, Sarojini Nagar and Govindpuri,
even though the terror organization, Islami Inqualabi Muhaaz,
has claimed responsibility. Security analysts believe that
this could be an attempt to throw off the investigations.
Experts
say that the hitherto unknown group, founded in 1996, is a
Lashkar front. Pakistan banned organisations like the Lashkar
and Jaish-e- Mohammad in 2002 followed by European and American
nations. Since then, the two organisations have changed names
to mobilize funds. Lashkar now operates as Pasban-e-Ahale-Hadis.
Jaish is now called Al-Furkaan. Investigators probing Saturday's
serial blasts say it's the handiwork of Lashkar as the organization
has a record of hitting soft targets. All three blasts used
similar electronic triggers, showing the presence of a single
organization. Unfazed by the serial bomb blasts that have
claimed over 60 lives, Delhiites continue to throngd various
city markets to complete their shopping for Diwali, which
falls on Tuesday. A massive hunt may be on to track down the
terrorists responsible for the explosions, but that has not
dampened spirits. Extra precautionary measures have been taken
in view of the Diwali and Id festivals, with the police deploying
around 2600 additional armed personnel besides central para-military
forces across the capital, particularly in markets and sensitive
locations. Raids in scores of places across the capital and
adjoining areas are being carried out. So far, over 25 people
have been picked up for questioning by the Special Cell, Crime
Branch of the Delhi Police and intelligence agencies. A reward
of Rs.one lakh has been announced for any information leading
to the arrest of the culprits.
On
Sunday evening, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh chaired a Cabinet
meeting which reviewed the situation arising out of the three
serial blasts that also injured 210 people. He also visited
Safdarjung Hospital where most of the wounded are being treated.
Maintaining that probe was moving in the right direction,
Home Minister Shivraj Patil told reporters after the Cabinet
meeting that "We have lots of information with us." Delhi
Police Joint Commissioner (Special Cell) Karnal Singh told
a press conference that the pattern in which the blasts were
carried out indicated that a single group was responsible
for it. Police is also looking for a passenger of the Delhi
Transport Corporation (DTC) bus who saw a man leaving his
bag containing an explosive and boarding off in a huff at
Govindpuri. He immediately informed the bus conductor and
driver who threw out the bag resulting in a blast in which
five persons were injured. Karnal Singh said forensic teams
of National Security Guards (NSG), Central Forensic Sciences
Laboratory (CFSL) and Chandigarh Forensic Sciences Laboratory
have visited the blast sites and their report was awaited
to conclude the nature of the explosive used. Singh said it
was premature to say whether the blasts were connected to
the sentencing in the Red Fort attack case, which comes up
for a second hearing and a probable sentencing announcement
on Monday afternoon. Asked whether police had any intelligence
input about possible terror strikes, Karnail Singh replied
in the negative.
The
police commissioner, Dr.K.K.Paul reviewed security arrangements
across the capital, particularly in sensitive and crowded
areas with top officials on Sunday afternoon and it was decided
to also beef up security at the Metro and Railway stations
as well as airports. Police have also set up sandbag pickets
and metal detector door frames at some prominent markets in
the capital and intensified frisking there. People have also
been asked to inform police about tenants and those who moved
into their neighbourhood recently or those having uncommon
movements during night and early morning. Mobile phone dealers
have been asked not to sell cards to any unknown person or
those whose identity is not proven. Cyber cafe owners have
also been instructed to keep record of those visiting them.
With 19 of 43 bodies at Safdarjung Hospital charred beyond
recognition, hospital authorities have said that they are
planning to conduct DNA tests to establish their identity.
"All methods, including DNA testing, will be used to identify
the bodies," the Medical Superintendent of Safdarjung Hospital
R N Salhan said. In some cases at the hospital, more than
two parties laid claim to bodies. DNA testing may be the only
way to settle the dispute, doctors said. The Lashkar has in
the past carried out: The Akshardham attack, killing 29 people,
the Chittisingpora attack, killing 39 and the Nandimarg incident,
killing 24. The Jaish, on the other hand, masterminded the
December 13, 2001 attack on Parliament, the attack on the
Jammu and Kashmir State Assembly and the July 5, 2005 attack
on the disputed site in Ayodhya.