Counterterrorism Blog

Investigations into the May 13 synchronized terror blasts that shook the pink city of Jaipur (Rajasthan, India) have reached ‘nowhere’ even after four days of the incident. Trailing the leads from the blast sites, eyewitness accounts and hoax calls/emails all over the country, agencies only pointed fingers at Islamic militants from across the border and their Indian accomplices. Meanwhile, the death toll in Tuesday's (May 13) blasts have reached 63 and injured over 200.

The usual political statements (quite monotonous though) and blame game aside, Rajasthan state police have issued at least 4 sketches in and rounded up over 30 people for interrogation so far. However, nothing has come out and none has been detained so far. One hitherto unknown outfit, Indian Mujahedeen (IM), has claimed responsibility for carrying out the serial blasts. Obviously the group does not exist and this was bad publicity stunt by the terrorists to make it look like a homegrown phenomenon. Worse, the outfit also sent video clips to the media of a cycle apparently strapped with a bomb laden bag which was for the explosion at Kotwali area. But the evidence found at that blast site made the video clips (3 clips) just bogus and misleading. By naming itself with the India tag, terrorists are desperately trying to ‘Indianize’ their unholy struggle and to discard their foreign (Pakistan/Bangladesh) roots. The video and email message warned India not to support America and Britain and threatened to carry out more attacks at tourist places. The most intriguing fact is that the Email ID [guru_al_hindi_jaipur@yahoo.co.uk] used for sending the e-mail about the explosions is quite similar to the mail ID media received [guru_alhindi@yahoo.fr] following the November 23, 2007 blast in Uttar Pradesh.

Now it’s almost confirmed that the basic ingredients used in making the explosives were all commercially procured near Jaipur: ammonium nitrate, APCL detonators, alarm clock, wonder tape, wooden casing and bag (Chinese made). The use of RDX can be ruled out as all defused bombs have no traces of RDX.

Sketches of suspects were released on the basis of preliminary investigations and with inputs from bicycle shop owners. At least ten bicycles were used for the serial bombings, nine of them were brand new. One of the sketches released by Rajasthan police resembles one absconding SIMI activist Abu Faisal from Indore in Madhya Pradesh. In the meantime another SIMI activist was detained in Sawai Madhopur district of the state and currently under interrogation along with more than 40 Bangladeshi nationals illegally staying in the state (suspected to have Harkat-ul-Jehadi-Islami links).

With not so successful track record in post blast investigations, Indian security and intelligence apparatus have been struggling to crack the latest terror attack. However, two thing are clear: the group whosoever (I am sticking to my assessment: LeT-HuJI-SIMI alliance) is responsible, just trying to waylaid investigation by sending the video and email. And the terror network that caused these blasts and elsewhere (in Uttar Pradesh, Hyderabad and Mumbai in the past) are robust, intact and well entrenched in all important Indian cities.