Mumbai blasts: TNT found, but no fidayeen

Investigation agencies have found TNT, besides ammonium nitrate, at the sites of the Mumbai serial blasts.

TNT is not available easily as ammonium nitrate - it is a fertilizer - and is used mainly by the armed forces and ordnance factories world over.

“The use of TNT has opened up more possibilities,” an official of an investigation agency said.

The agencies are also relying on CCTV camera footage as one of the cameras was focusing directly on the scooter that was used to plant the bomb in Zaveri Bazaar.

“Forensic investigation has established that the bomb was kept in the dicky of the scooter. We have identified the scooter and its owner, which could lead to further clues,” Union home secretary R K Singh said. Agencies are taking the help of local people to find the possible suspects and showing them the CCTV footages that have been converted into 11 CDs.

“Now we have all the people and the faces have appeared. The faces have to be recognised by local people to see whether they are locals. That process is on,” Singh said adding that faces not recognised by the locals are being put through a database and being verified.

Singh, however, did not rule out the possibility of the underworld or the Indian Mujahideen having a hand in the blasts but almost rejected the fidayeen theory.

“We have not come across any further evidence of a fidayeen,” he said.

The agencies are scrutinising the email sent to a channel about the Mumbai blasts.The email sent at 15:19:50 (British Standard Time) on July 13 with subject “Bomb Blast” says “WE TAKE RESPONSIBLITY OF TODAYS ATTACK IN MUMBAI” and is undersigned Telangana Agitation Movement (Terror Wing), TRS & JAC Joint action wing, Hyderabad. “It seems to have originated from Daman in Saudi Arabia. We are trying to establish its exact time of origin and place,” sources said not ruling out it as the handiwork of some notorious elements.