Police issued sketches of two suspects

GORAKHPUR: Police on Thursday released the sketches of two persons allegedly involved in the serial bomb blasts that rocked the city on Tuesday and announced a reward of Rs 10,000 for information leading to their arrest.

SSP R K Rai told a press conference here this evening that the two have been identified as Sameer (16) of Golghar and Iftekhar (21) of Mayabazar locality.

Their sketches have been drawn on the basis of interrogation of a bicycle shop owner, he said.

The duo purchased the bicycle, which were used in the blasts, from the same shop at 12pm and 4pm on Tuesday, Rai said.

The SSP said the investigation into the explosions is going on in the "right direction" and the police declared a reward of Rs 10,000 for the information leading to the arrest of these two people.

SSP Rai said no terror outfit has so far claimed responsibility for these blasts and the local involvement is very much possible.

Replying a question, he said the motive of those who triggered the blasts would have been to create panic and chaos among the people.

Teams have been sent to other districts while forensic experts from other states have also been called in, Rai said.

He said SSP of Special Task Force Amitabh Yash and his team are conducting the investigation into the blasts.