TN blasts: Threads gathered, now SIT looks for the pattern

A shocking revelation is the pilferage of plastic bombs from defence bases in Kerala, through one military8217; Raju, who was discharged from the Army for various reasons.

SIT sources are of the opinion that the pilferage of explosives from the defence bases needs to be probed by the CBI and not by an agency like CB- CID due to its inter-state ramifications.

Mahdhani, Ashraf, Subair and Ayyappan are reported to have assisted Al-Umma from Kerala side. Ansari is said to havedispatched Oom Babu to get some old cars from Kerala. Also, a total of 41 bomb sites were identified. Seventeen blasts had taken place, while 24 others were foiled by the police as the election rally of BJP leader L K Advani did not take place as scheduled.

On February 14 morning, leaders are reported to have rushed to Kerala to take shelter. Interrogation has also revealed that seven persons were chosen to target the VIPs. Three of them were assigned the role of human bombers with plastic explosives fitted in a belt tied to their hip.

In all, eight persons were nabbed and six were killed on Thirumal Street on February 14 night during a combing operation. The breakthrough on Thirumal Street in Big Bazaar limits formed the genesis of this case, SIT sources say. Meanwhile, the SIT is all set to expedite its investigations and file the charge-sheet latest by the end of August.

The team has found that the serial blasts in the textile city, which claimed 60 lives besides injuring 200 persons, was inretaliation to the killing of 19 Muslim youths on November 30 in the city.

Interrogations have revealed that the conspiracy took place under the leadership of Al-Umma chief S A Batcha and his second lieutenant Mohammed Ansari.

A total of 170 persons have been identified for involvement in the conspiracy and 123 have been nabbed. Thirty-two of them have been detained. Seven key accused in the case are believed to be at large, SIT sources say.

IE REPORT PROMPTS ACTION: Following reports in The Indian Express on the SIT infrastructure shortage, the government reacted promptly with the State DGP directing 15 officers to report immediately to SIT for expediting the sensational case.8217;

Interestingly, reportedly on the grouse that TA/DA would not be available to officers who come on special duty, most of the 15 officers who were directed to report for SIT duty, went on medical leave.