Role of IM, right wing outfit being probed

The four low-intensity blasts in Pune have thrown open a debate on who could have been the brain behind the incidents.

The four low-intensity blasts in Pune have thrown open a debate on who could have been the brain behind the incidents.

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Another bomb that was placed in a cake was defused, said police sources.

ATS and NIA officials have not ruled out the possibility of groups such as Indian Mujahideen (IM) or of right wing organisations such as Sanathan Sanstha being responsible for the blasts.

A senior police officer said, “In the past, both groups have conducted low-intensity blasts in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Bangalore and Goa.”

In May 2011, a low-intensity blast had been triggered outside the Delhi high court, which was suspected to be the handiwork of the IM.

Another major blast took place outside the court in September 2011, which killed 11 and injured 70 others.

The IM had also planned a series of similar blasts in Bangalore in 2008, and in Uttar Pradesh (UP) in 2006. However, the bombs in UP did not explode.

The police suspect the role of the IM in Wednesday’s blasts as David Headley, a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative arrested for his involvement in the Mumbai 26/11 terror attack, had visited Pune and conducted a reconnaissance.

Also, Himayat Baig, accused in the German Bakery blasts, had told investigators of possible targets in Pune.

Investigators are not ruling out the possibility of the involvement of right-wing terror groups either.

Two persons owing allegiance to Sanathan Sanstha were arrested for their alleged role in Margao blast in October 2009.