The Hindu : Larger design behind Mumbai bus blast?

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 04, 2002

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Other States - Maharashtra

Larger design behind Mumbai bus blast?

By Mahesh Vijapurkar

MUMBAI Dec. 3. The explosion in a stationary bus here yesterday is suspected to be the handiwork of an ``indigenous fundamentalist group''.

Top official sources told The Hindu that the discovery of an explosive device in another bus later in the night points to a larger design. They clarified that the group may not be Mumbai-based, but one that organised itself within the country. Apparently, some clues have been found, but the authorities are playing their cards close to their chest.

At a press briefing, the Deputy Chief Minister, Chhagan Bhujbal, and senior officials said any guesses would be premature. Normally, the practice is to point a finger at the ISI or specific terrorist groups such as the Jaish-e-Mohammed or Laskhar-e-Taiba. But, this time, officials are cautious. ``We are investigating. One has to wait for things to crystallise,'' they say.

The devices used in yesterday's blast are simple and easy to put together. Fortunately, the second devise in another bus was found and disarmed.

Mr. Bhujbal said no one had claimed responsibility for the blast. According to the Mumbai Police Commissioner, Mahesh Narayan Singh, the device was a bundle of gelatine sticks connected to a table clock, which served as a timer. It was easy to acquire gelatine sticks because farmers used them to excavate wells, break rocks and level the land.

Mr. Bhujbal said a 56-member Quick Response Team (QRT), trained and equipped like the National Security Guards (NSG), would be formed.

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Larger design behind Mumbai bus blast?