Maintaning that terror groups based in Pakistan could be involved in Saturday’s blasts in Hyderabad, security agencies have turned their focus on the Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Jaish-e-Mohammed. The Harkat-ul-Jihadi-al-Islami (HuJI), which is believed to have close links with both these outfits, continues to be under the scanner. These groups have been involved in terror strikes in the past, especially the HuJI which had been accused of being involved in the Mecca Masjid blasts in May, and they have established a network of operatives in the region, official sources said. “Preliminary investigation indicates the involvement of some groups based abroad who are known to be indulging in such activities in India,” said Madhukar Gupta, Union Home Secretary. Security agencies and state police suspected the role of the LeT or Jaish. But the primary aim was to “identify the people who did this and nab them,” Gupta said. Several wanted militants are believed to be operating out of Pakistan. The investigators are also not ruling out the possibility of two or more terrorist groups coming together for the operation. “Some of the groups have a similar modus operandi and there are reports of networking between militant groups,” an official said. Security agencies are meanwhile trying to track people or firms that bought Neogel-90 from the Nagpur-based Amin Explosives Limited. Police believe this is the explosive that was used in the blasts. While the owner Sohail Amin was questioned on Sunday, efforts are now being made to work out a trail that could lead to someone who sourced the explosive for the blasts. The ammonium nitrate-based explosive is used for commercial and industrial purposes like mining, blasting and even road construction. The Ministry, concerned over the lack of actionable intelligence that could be prevent such strikes, is learnt to have asked the Andhra Pradesh Government to strengthen its intelligence machinery. Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, who visited Hyderabad on Sunday, is expected to make a statement on the status of investigations in Parliament on Wednesday. The Centre has meanwhile sent an advisory to all states asking them to take all precautions and step up security after the Hyderabad blasts.
