The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Twin blasts: clues available, evidence missing

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 28, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Twin blasts: clues available, evidence missing

Staff Reporter

Narco-test reports confirm the involvement of Harkat-ul-Jehad-e-Islami responsible for the Mecca Masjid blast on May 19

Fayaz, a youth from Saidabad, is suspected to have planted the bomb at Gokul Chat
No headway on Lumbini Park suspect in spite of a portrait made using eyewitness accounts

HYDERABAD: The leads are there, but the crucial evidence is still missing. That puts in perspective the status of the investigation into the twin terror strikes at Lumbini Park and Gokul Chat that snuffed out 42 lives on August 25. Police sources say analysis of narco-test reports of several suspects held earlier confirms that the terrorist outfit Harkat-ul-Jehad-e-Islami, responsible for the Mecca masjid blast on May 19, was also behind the twin blasts. As the commanders of the HuJI’s terror cell are operating from abroad—Pakistan and Bangladesh, investigators focussed on the locals who provided logistical support to execute the twin blasts.

From making the Improvised Explosive Device to those who planted it, the police could reconstruct every step in the Mecca masjid blast case. However, they could not make any arrests for lack of clinching evidence. Meanwhile, the government handed over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation.

“We could not reconstruct the entire twin blasts operation the way we did in Mecca masjid blast case despite having clues. We don’t want to arrest anyone unless incriminating evidence is collected,” a police officer told The Hindu. He said police got clear evidence to connect the Mecca masjid blast case with the terrorist attack at Ajmer in Rajasthan.

Similar IEDs

The IEDs used in both the attacks were similar. Police sources maintain that they have clues to suggest the bombs were made by HuJI militant Abu Hamja.

But, the investigators are clueless as to who made the IEDs used in the twin terror strikes. Later, it was established that similar IEDs were used in the terrorist attack at Jaipur in May.

The first important clue came from Majid, the younger brother of HuJI commander Mohd. Abdul Shahid, believed to be operating from Bangladesh and Pakistan.

During interrogation, after he was held in a criminal conspiracy case, Majid said that a Hyderabadi youth from Saidabad, Fayaz, had planted the bomb at Gokul Chat.

This is yet to be corroborated and the crucial details as to who, how and when the bomb was passed on to Fayaz. Efforts to catch the person, who placed the bomb at Lumbini Park, based on the portrait that was made using description of the suspect given by some eyewitnesses too did not lead police anywhere so far.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh