Circuit problem in Surat bombs, finds FSL probe

Identifying the reason why the Surat bombs failed to explode, Forensic Science Laboratory director Dr J M Vyas said on Wednesday that a fault in the integrated circuit led to insufficient power which could not cause the blast.

8220;We have carried out experiments on different components used in the programmable integrated circuits used in the live bombs in Surat city. Out of 30 integrated circuits, four were non-functional while others were normal. We have found that there was a fault in the integrated circuit as the power supply was not sufficient to create a minor blast in detonators,8221; he said.

8220;Minor power is needed for sending a signal to the integrated circuit. The batteries used were genuine, but there was an error in the integrated circuit. We made certain changes in the integrated circuit and conducted tests by supplying power in the transmitter, and the blast took place successfully,8221; added Vyas.

Explaining the process, Vyas said the power generated from the battery gives signals to the integrated circuit, which leads to a minor blast in the detonators. This causes the ammonium nitrate packed into the bomb to explode.