Pune blast probably planned from across border: Home Secretary

Even as the Cabinet Committee on Security met in New Delhi on Monday evening, the Union Home Secretary G.K. Pillai in a startling disclosure told a TV channel that the Pune blast at German Bakery, targeting foreigners, had its mastermind in Pakistan. “The plot was probably hatched in Pakistan” G.K. Pillai was quoted as saying by CNN-IBN.

Besides, he disclosed at least 14 blasts had been prevented all over the country since the Mumbai 26/11 terror attack. His statement comes in the background of intelligence inputs that terrorist outfit Lashkar and Indian Mujahideen had plans for more strikes in second tier cities like Kanpur, Indore where security measures are not as tight as in metros like Delhi or Mumbai. The Commonwealth games to be held in October this year too could be a target for the terror groups.

The Pakistani connection, if established by investigators probing the Feb 13 Pune blast, could have serious repercussions on the India-Pakistan Foreign Secretary-level talks to be held on February 25. Already the opposition is getting ready to attack the government for opting for talks at a time when terrorist activities seem to continue from across the border. The Parliament’s Budget session beginning Feb 22 could be stormy over the issue of New Delhi proposing to Islamabad for holding talks. The government has evidence of at least 42 terror camps in Pok.

G. K Pillai told CNN-IBN on Monday “No doubt that all these activities are being masterminded from across border but insofar as the Pune blast is concerned, I would wait for the investigations to reveal the details,” said Pillai. On asked whether the Pune blast had a hand of the Indian Mujahideen, he said, “Everything is conjecture at this point in time, most militant groups are mutating and are changing tactics, targets. They are no more predictable.”

The National Investigation Agency, which was formed to investigate cases relating to terrorism, was not roped in for the investigation into the Pune blast. Currently, it is the Mumbai Anti Terrorism Squad, Pune police and the Intelligence Bureau which is carrying out the probe into this case. The Union Home Secretary, who is monitoring the situation very closely, told rediff.com that they are yet to ascertain whether there is an international ramification to this case. Investigators are also closely studying whether this blast was part of an inter-state operation, Pillai also added. He said if there are indications of an international ramification or and inter-state operation, 'we will surely rope in the NIA.'

Meanwhile, the terror group Indian Mujahideen is emerging as the key suspect in the Pune bomb blast on Feb 13. Investigating agencies are looking at Indian Mujahideen's links with Karachi-based Lashkar-e-Toiba and its front organisation Jamaat-ud Dawa. The group's Maharashtra wing leaders are also being tracked to unravel the blast links.

The blast in Pune's German Bakery that killed nine people is similar to Varanasi, Hyderabad and Delhi blasts, investigators point out. The link with the Indian Mujahideen has also got stronger with the clues retrieved from the blast site at German bakery so far.

In what is believed to be the first big breakthrough in the Pune bomb blast case investigations, vital clues have emerged from the CCTV footage from the hotel opposite the German Bakery blast site. Sources have confirmed that the explosives used in the Pune blast were a mixture of ammonium nitrate and RDX. Ammonium Nitrate was one of the key components used in the Delhi serial blasts, also believed to be the handiwork of the Indian Mujahideen.

The technique of packing explosives and keeping it in a bag and leaving it unattended is also similar to the one used for Delhi serial blasts. All major cities including Delhi, Indore and Kanpur have been put on high alert. Delhi, Indore and Kanpur are the cities mentioned by Jamaat-ud Dawa deputy chief as terror targets at a recent meet of jehadi groups in PoK. At a rally in Islamabad, JuD deputy chief Abdur Makki had reportedly warned of targeting Indian cities.

"By denying Pakistan water, India has ensured that every farmer in Punjab is lining up, ready to overrun India. At one time, jihadis were interested only in Kashmir, but the water issue has ensured Delhi, Pune and Kanpur are all fair targets," Makki had warned.

Sources told CNN-IBN that recently arrested Indian Mujahideen operative Shehzad Ahmed had shared information on terror modules based in Pune. Indian Mujahideen has also been blamed for a string of bomb blasts in major Indian cities in 2008.

Evidence collected from the blast in Pune has the "trademark" of the Indian Mujahideen, intelligence sources say. The group has built a strong network suspect across Maharashtra and is believed to have a module in Pune, they say.

The group is blamed for the serial blasts in Varanasi, Faizabad and Lucknow on November on November 23, 2007 that killed 13 people. It is also blamed for the May 2008 serial bombing in Jaipur that killed 63 people.

The forensic report into Pune blast has said around one to one and a half kg of RDX was used in the explosion. Meanwhile, the Centre is mulling a reward of Rs one crore to anyone who gives clues about terrorists who may have planted the bomb in the German Bakery, a favourite eating joint of foreigners. Top Home Ministry officials said the reward proposal was being considered at the highest level and may take a decision soon. CCTV footage, police say, show two men entering the bakery with black bags.

- Asian Tribune -