NIA still part of 13/7 probe: PC

The National Investigation Agency was still a part of the probe into the July 13 Mumbai serial blasts, home minister P Chidambaram said today, dismissing reports that India's premier anti-terror probe body had called back its team following a rift with the anti-terrorism squad of Maharashtra.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) was still a part of the probe into the July 13 Mumbai serial blasts, home minister P Chidambaram said on Monday, dismissing reports that India's premier anti-terror probe body had called back its team following a rift with the anti-terrorism squad (ATS) of Maharashtra.

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"(The) ATS Mumbai is the lead investigation agency (into the triple bombings) but the NIA is still associated (with the investigation)," Chidambaram told reporters in New Delhi.

He was answering queries about reports that the NIA had pulled out of the probe following differences with the ATS. The two agencies jointly took over the probe into the July 13 Mumbai bomb blast that killed 25 people and injured scores.

"We should allow the state police to carry on... The NIA has been associated from the first day. The NIA is coordinating the investigation outside Maharashtra," the home minister said about the coordinated terror blasts in Mumbai which still remain unravelled.

Asked about the latest developments in the probe, Chidambaram said he was briefed by Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan that "there is a progress in the investigation".

"Beyond that I cannot share anything," the home minister said.

About potential suspects behind the terror act, Chidambaram said what he had said on the first day of the blasts. "I have not ruled out or ruled in anything."