The Hindu : National : Explosive device defused at shrine

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Saturday, Oct 13, 2007
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Explosive device defused at shrine

Special Correspondent

JAIPUR: A day after the terror attack on the dargah of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer, a second live explosive device was found near Buland Darwaza in the shrine during a massive combing operation early on Friday morning, suggesting that those planting the bombs had probably planned an extensive destruction.

Even as the bomb, found in a blue travel bag, was immediately defused, police detained six persons – including two pilgrims of Bangladeshi origin – for interrogation. While police have not formally arrested anyone so far, no terrorist group has claimed responsibility for Thursday’s low-intensity bomb blast that claimed two lives and left 17 injured.

Police sources said the bag contained maps of the dargah and surrounding areas, some electronic devices, batteries and iron sticks. The device appeared to be similar to the one which exploded at Ahata-e-Noor inside the dargah complex shortly after the fast-breaking custom of iftar on Thursday evening.

While a team of the National Security Guards arrived in Ajmer to examine the blast site, a Border Security Force contingent was deployed to provide round-the-clock security to the 13th century shrine, which figures in the Centre’s list of high-value terror targets.

State Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said police had found some “vital clues” that would soon lead to the perpetrators of the terror attack. Three special teams of Rajasthan Police left for Mumbai, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad apparently after getting some leads in the grilling of those detained from the Dargah Bazaar area.

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