13-02-2012 Delhi Bomb Blast: New Kind of Device Used
posted on Feb 14, 2012 @ 10:52AM
Investigations into the 13-02-2012 bomb blast in Delhi outside Israeli Embassy has exp[osed that a new kind of explosive device has been used by the perpetrators. Investigators are waiting for the Central Forensic Lab report, which will reveal the exact nature of the explosive used in the attack. Yesterday's blast had left four people injured, including wife of an Israeli diplomat.
According to sources, though the investigating authorities have not ruled out use of RDX or a nitrate-based compound, the device that was used for causing explosion is a unique one. The investigators are surprised that the fuel tank of the Innova did not explode. Sources say no timer or detonator have been found either. At this point, investigators say the bomb seemed to have had a magnetic base. And it may have taken the bike-borne assailants less than a minute to attach it to the diplomat's car. Sources also say a sophisticated incendiary device was used in the blast, a first of its kind for a terror attack in India. This has become even more concern for the officials.
Eyewitnesses have claimed that assailants on a red motorcycle planted the magnet base bomb on the car. The Delhi Police has intensified checking of hotels in the Pahar Ganj area of Delhi. There are about 350 hotels in the area. Photo identities and passport copies of all Iranians has been taken by the police. The police has also questioned a few people. The police has also been looking at the CCTV footage from the places nearby, including the area around the Prime Minister's residence, the Israeli embassy and Khan market.
The Ministry of Home Affairs also held a review meeting this morning. Home Minister P Chidambaram held a review meeting with Home Secretary RK Singh, Special Secretary Internal Security Ajay Chadha, National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon, Intelligence Bureau chief N Sandhu and other senior MHA officials.
Sources say the Home Ministry is expecting a detailed report from Delhi Police on its preliminary investigations by Tuesday evening.
It is to be recalled that an explosion occured in an Israeli embassy car very close to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's house in the heart of New Delhi. Israeli diplomat's wife, Tal Yeshova, and three others injured in the incident. While the diplomat's wife was taken into surgery with shrapnel injuries to her spine, the other three suffered superficial injuries. Yeshova's operation was successful and she was recuperating in the ICU. Her condition was stable. The driver of the Innova was also out of danger and will be discharged from the hospital on Tuesday.