Attacker's aim was fuel tank, wanted burning car to explode

The 'sticky bomb' that destroyed the Israeli official's car on Monday afternoon was an incendiary device minus shrapnel basically intended to create an explosion by converting its target into a weapon.

The 'sticky bomb' that destroyed the Israeli official's car on Monday afternoon was an incendiary device minus shrapnel basically intended to create an explosion by converting its target into a weapon.

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Had not been for traffic on the car's left side, where its fuel tank was located, the impact would have destroyed it and several other vehicles adjacent to it in a matter of seconds, sources said.

"Since three vehicles were waiting at the traffic signal alongside the targeted car, the assailant hurriedly planted it on the vehicle's right side and fled," said an officer.

As the vehicle caught fire after the device exploded, it converted chunks of the blazing vehicle itself into shrapnel, which penetrated the Israeli woman's body.

"Melted plastic and metal-based U clips and a metallic aerosol-based spray can, which must have been an air-freshener, have been recovered from the damaged vehicle," the officer said.

Wild goose chase
Even as investigators struggled to make a breakthrough on the third consecutive day, recovery of an abandoned red Bajaj Pulsar motorcycle found unattended near gate number 2 of DDA Park in Lado Sarai area sent investigators into a tizzy.

The abandoned motorcycle was discovered early in the morning by a night patrolling staff of Saket police station.

Hoping that the motorcycle might provide some clue, teams from crime investigation unit and forensic science laboratory were called. They have collected fingerprints from the motorcycle and also "other useful evidences".

When verified, a senior police officer said, the motorcycle was registered in the name of one Rajiv Maggo from Satya Niketan.

"A team was sent to Maggo's residence. He had sold his motorcycle to one Abhishek Shoukeen from Gurgaon. Investigation revealed that the motorcycle was sold two more times and we are trying to establish the identity of its last two owners," said the officer.

Another red motorcycle was found without any claimant in Connaught Place. Police later said it was a stolen vehicle.