MUMBAI: Six days after serial blasts ripped through Mumbai's Western Railway suburban network, the police have determined the nature of the explosives. Also, there is information suggesting some "cross-border connection."

A mixture of RDX, ammonium nitrate and fuel oil was used in the July 11 serial blasts, K. P. Raghuvanshi, Joint Commissioner of Police and chief of the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), told reporters here on Monday.

This combination, rarely used, was confirmed in tests conducted by the Forensic Science Laboratory, Hyderabad, and the National Security Guards. Only traces of this mixture were found at the scene of blasts. Mr. Raghuvanshi also confirmed that a timer was used.

While refusing to name any single organisation as being responsible for the blasts, he said there was some "cross-border connection." Also there was some local participation, without which an operation of this magnitude would not have been possible, he said.

A Mumbai police team, which had gone to Tripura, would bring here, if necessary, the 11 persons from Mumbra in Thane district, who had been picked up by the police of that State while trying to cross the Bangladesh border. The Mumbai police would first investigate the matter.

There were repeated questions on the search for Rahil Abdul Rehman Sheikh, one of the prime suspects. Mr. Raghuvanshi said the police were still looking for him. He might or might not be linked to the blasts, he added. He reiterated that no arrest had been made in this case. The Thane police said they had verified information that the persons detained at the Tripura border were from Mumbra. A senior police official denied that combing operations were being conducted in that area. The police were only verifying the addresses of the 11 persons.

Custody extended

Meanwhile, the 16 persons, arrested in connection with the seizure of arms and explosives in the Aurangabad and Manmad areas, were produced in the special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act court and their judicial custody has been extended till July 25. Since May, the ATS has seized 43 kg of RDX, AK 47 rifles and ammunition in Aurangabad, Manmad and other areas of the State. The police are still investigating where the explosives came from.

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