Secretary in MHA UK Bansal said that preliminary forensic investigations reveals that explosives used could be nitrate-based.
About 2kg of explosives were used in the blast outside Delhi High Court which killed at least 11 people and injured over 76 others, Home Ministry said today.
"The explosives quantity is estimated to be about 2 kilograms which created a crater two-feet wide and one-foot deep. It is deduced that most of the casualties have been caused by the blasts (not by shrapnel)," Secretary (Internal Security) in MHA, UK Bansal told reporters.
He said that preliminary forensic investigations reveals that explosives used could be nitrate-based.
"Some traces of PETN are also being suspected," Bansal said.
PETN, short for pentaerythritol trinitrate, is a chemical explosive that has a long history of terrorist use. The official said that the National Investigating Agency (NIA) has taken up the investigation and has deployed a team of 20 officers to go into various aspects of the probe.
Bansal said that detailed forensic examination is going on and investigators were trying to ascertain the authenticity of an email sent to certain media houses purportedly by Harkat-ul-Jehadi-Islami (HuJI), a banned terror group, claiming responsibility for the blast.
NIA has also sought Delhi Police help in the investigations.
Bansal said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has announced an ex gratia of Rs2 lakh for the next of kin of those killed in the blast and Rs1 lakh to the injured.
"A forensic team of CFSL, Delhi, has collected forensic evidence from the spot which is being examined for clues. The NSG post blast investigation team has also collected relevant traces residue etc. from the spot and is conducting its own forensic examination. The reports of this scientific examination will be available to the NIA shortly," Bansal said.
Bansal said Delhi Police has been put on high alert and vigorous investigations are in progress including checking of guest houses, hotels, bus stands, railway stations and airports.
Bansal said all entry and exist routes are also being put under extensive surveillance and checking.
"Neighbouring states have also been asked to send their teams of ATS experts to examine the scene of the blast and assist in the investigation," he said.
Bansal said 11 persons have died in the blast and 76 others have been injured.
"Most of the injured people have been admitted in the RML Hospital, while some others are receiving treatment at other hospitals including AIIMS, Moolchand Hospital, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital etc. The condition of some of the injured is reported to be critical. In all cases of injured people where surgery was required the same has been performed or is being done now," he said.
Bansal said The investigation of this case has been transferred to the NIA by the Union Government in exercise of its powers under the NIA Act. NIA has requested the Delhi Government and Delhi Police to associate and assist them in the investigation.
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