While probe agencies are still unable to make a substantial breakthrough in the sensational serial blasts in Bodh Gaya, the initial investigation has pointed the finger at the Indian Mujahideen (IM). The use of ammonium nitrate, timers in the blasts indicates the involvement of the IM. Sources informed that the make of the bombs was similar to earlier blasts triggered by the IM.
The police have also recovered papers near blast sites and these papers mention places where these bombs have to be planted. Specific mention was made either in Urdu or in English, informed Bihar DGP Abhayanand.
One person has been detained for questioning, while the probe agencies are trying to identify another person seen in CCTV footage making a quick exit out of the temple just before the blast.
Meanwhile, monks from Sri lanka, Thailand and Myanmar and several other nations held a special prayer for peace on Monday at the temple.A special worship was performed at Mahabodhi temple where heads of various monasteries and other monks participated in the religious rituals on Monday evening. later, the temple was opened to the general public too.
As the NIA and the NSG teams scanned the place for any clue, the police recovered a wreckage of a low intensity bomb 1.5 km from the Mahabodhi temple, thus bringing the number of bomb explosions to 10.
Four bombs had exploded on the Mahabodhi temple premises itself while rest six exploded at various other places, not very far from the temple. DGP Abhayanand told the media that bombs were triggered by analog clock timers.
The DGP was, however, tightlipped about the identity of the terrorist group involved in the serials blasts. He confirmed that ammonium nitrate was used in making these bombs, which were planted at some vital places — including Mahabodhi temple, 80 feet lord Buddha statute and Tregar Monastery, belonging to the Karmapa, the second most important spiritual leader.
A source quoting a preliminary report said that bombs had a mix of ammonium nitrate and sulphur, neatly packed in small cylinders.The Gaya district administration released the CCTV footage of serial blasts at the Mahabodhi temple and adjoining areas on Monday.
A very brief footage shows the bomb blast below the Bodhi tree and people running in panic to save their lives following the blasts. The footage has captured the smoke billowing fromthe blast, showing severalpeople present on the temple premises when the bomb exploded. The footage also showed a young person walking inside the Mahabodhi temple and moving up to the blast site before making a quick exit. The NIA has detained a local, Vinod Mistry, for questining. His identity card was found on the temple premises.
DIG (Magadh Range) NH Khan told newspersons that some more people might be questioned soon after the analysis of the CCTV footages is complete.
Meanwhile, the separate bandh calls given by the BJP and the RJD in protest against the terror strikes allegedly due to the State Government’s security lapses evoked good response in Gaya district, disrupting normal life at several places. BJP president Rajnath Singh and senior party leader Arun Jaitley will visit Bodh Gaya on Tuesday to assess the situation following the bomb blasts.