The Hindu : Front Page : New outfit claims responsibility

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Oct 31, 2005

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Front Page

New outfit claims responsibility

Staff Reporter

Lashkar-linked Islami Inqualabi Muhaz ``triggered the blasts''

HEART-RENDING: An elderly woman consoles her relative, mother of a girl killed in a terrorist bomb explosion in Paharganj, New Delhi, on Saturday. — PHOTO: MANAN VATSYAYANA

NEW DELHI: An outfit linked to the Pakistan-based militant organisation, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has claimed responsibility for the blasts that rocked the capital on Saturday evening, leaving over 60 dead and 210 injured.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Karnal Singh said a call was received by the Srinagar office of Kashmir News Service on Sunday. The caller claimed that the Islami Inqualabi Muhaz (IIM) had triggered the blasts in Delhi.

Mr. Singh said the IIM, having links with the LeT, was set up in 1996. However, it had not been active over the past few years. "The claim is being verified," Mr. Singh said.

The police have announced a reward of Rs. 1 lakh to anyone providing clues leading to the arrest of the terrorists.

Meanwhile, forensic teams from the National Security Guard and the Chandigarh Forensic Science Laboratory have collected samples from the blast sites and the police are awaiting reports on the nature of the explosives used.

Timer used

Mr. Singh said at least in one case — the explosion in a DTC bus at Govindpuri in South Delhi — an electronic timer was used to detonate the device. This indicated that a high-grade explosive was used in the blasts.

The police said that in all probability similar devices were used in the other two incidents. "It appears that one group was involved in the three incidents and hence the construction of the devices was likely to be same," he said.

Several questioned

Several persons have been questioned and raids conducted at various places across the capital. "But no arrests have been made, there are no detentions and we are not releasing any sketches," he said.

He said the police were working on all possible angles. In view of the festive season, the Delhi police have requested the Centre to provide them additional forces to beef up security at market places.

"Our own Armed Battalions have already been deployed and some personnel from the Central police organisations would be deployed soon," Mr. Singh said.

The Joint Commissioner also advised people not to touch any suspicious objects and to contact the police instead.

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