Rains delaying Mumbai blast probe: Rakesh Maria

Investigators have found traces of ammonium nitrate from blast sites in Mumbai but to know the real composition of the bombs would take ‘little longer’, a top police official said on Thursday, a day after 17 people were killed in the latest terror attack in Mumbai.

“Investigators have found ammonium nitrate. But because of the rain, it will take a little longer for them to provide the details on other aspects. We have to wait a bit longer for the forensic opinion,” chief of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad Rakesh Maria told reporters.

He said “prima facie it appears a timer device” was used to trigger the blasts. “Samples have been taken from the spot. Sifting is going on. It is too early to say anything. Let the experts arrive at a conclusion.”

Maria said police and investigation teams were putting in their efforts to solve the case and bring the culprits to book.

“No matter where they are, we will identify them and bring them to book,” he said.

Maria appealed to people in the city not to give heed to rumours and rubbished the reports that undetonated bombs have been found at different places in Mumbai.

He said investigators were “not confining” themselves to any one group that may have triggered the blasts. “At the moment it may not be proper to say that we are targeting a particular book. Investigation is a long drawn patient process. You cannot ask for instant results.”

He said investigators were also examining “voluminous” CCTV footage that has been taken from all the three locations. “They are examining it. We are going through it.”