IM may have obtained explosives from Maoists

The investigating agencies, looking into the triple blasts that rocked Mumbai on Wednesday suspect that the ammonium nitrate which was used in the bombs may have been procured in Maharashtra itself.

The investigating agencies, looking into the triple blasts that rocked Mumbai on Wednesday suspect that the ammonium nitrate which was used in the bombs may have been procured in Maharashtra itself.

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“The Indian Mujahiddin is running short on funds and resources and that’s why they may not have been able to procure RDX as the routes for the same have been blocked due to high vigilance,” an officer told HT on condition anonymity while adding that the agencies suspect that ammonium nitrate could have been sourced from maoits in the state. “They have a free supply of the same due to their operation in areas where minings happen,” he said.

There have been evidence of monetary assistance that the Maoists have received from Islamic terrorists and now in turn they may have provided the ammonium nitrate,’ the officer said. “This perhaps could be first instance where the two have come together,” he said while adding that the attacks have left the establishment worried.

He added that the ammonium nitrate coupled with sulphur, fuel oil and a tungsten fuse wire could have helped make a bomb easily. “It’s an effective device that can be assembled even at home,” the officer said while adding that a watch or a mobile phone could have been used as a trigger.

Meanwhile, an officer told HT that the attacker was not able to place the bomb at a strategic location as he might have been afraid of being spotted so he left it on the back side of the bus stop,” the officer said while adding that ammonium nitrate along with fuel oil has been used in the blast. “The dadar bomb was left hanging. The tree behind the bus stop has taken a huge blow of the blast,” he said.

The officer said that the opera house bomber was smart enough to hide it beneath an umbrella as due to monsoons, no one would have noticed an unclaimed umbrella.