After terror Friday, vital breakthrough

A day after the Srinagar blasts and the Jama Masjid explosions, there has been significant progress in investigations both in the Valley and the capital.

A day after the Srinagar blasts and the Jama Masjid explosions, there has been significant progress in investigations both in the Valley and the capital. While security agencies are confident of having cracked the plot in Kashmir, two persons have been detained in Delhi for questioning.

It is learnt that besides the nine militants arrested today in Srinagar, a militant of Pakistan-origin, Ashraf, too was picked up. The mastermind of the attacks has been identified as one Imtiyaz. After subsequent interrogation revealed that there were two others involved in the attacks, a search has been mounted to nab them.

Home Secretary V K Duggal now plans to visit the Valley to evaluate the security situation there. As a precursor, he held a meeting of senior officials from the Army as well as key security agencies and the Delhi Police today to assess the situation.

Even as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Jama Masjid and also met a few of those injured in Friday8217;s low-intensity explosions, there was much curiosity over the recovery of a battery, which police claim was found from the explosion site. However, by evening, the possibility of any electronic detonator was ruled out.

The the 9V battery casing was apparently used to place the concentrated acid in a tyre tube. This acted as a timer, as slow corrosion took place before the acid could react with the sulphur mixture, causing the explosion.

The two persons detained, sources said, came under suspicion after they failed to explain their whereabouts and what they were doing in the area. They are not locals, but investigators have not been able to get anything more from them.

The agencies are now assuming that the blasts were aimed at causing communal tension, and are not ruling out that it may have been the handiwork of a small terror module. The design of the explosive was such that it did not even damage the flooring.
Religious places to be under security loop
NEW DELHI: Rattled by the twin blasts at Jama Masjid, the Centre has firmed up plans to rope in places of worship to strengthen their security and thwart future attacks. The issue came up for discussion on Saturday at a high-level North Block meeting chaired by Home Secretary V K Duggal. 8220;Temples, mosques and churches would be asked to assist security forces in beefing up security. The matter will soon be discussed with the state police chiefs,8221; Duggal said after the meeting.
Imam wants CBI probe: The Shahi Imam of Delhi8217;s Jama Masjid on Saturday demanded a CBI probe into the blasts in the historic mosque and the Sankatmochan temple in Varanasi. 8212; ENS