NSG commandos with bomb disposal squad at Patna's Gandhi Maidan on Tuesday
Two days after a string of blasts struck Patna, it has now emerged that 18 bombs were planted throughout the city before Narendra Modi's Hunkar rally. Sources say six men were tasked with planting three bombs each at and near the venue of Mr Modi's rally, the Gandhi Maidan.
Sources also say that all the bombs have now been accounted for. Seven exploded on Sunday, killing six people and injuring 83, while the rest have been defused or detonated by the bomb squads.
Meanwhile, investigators on Tuesday pieced together the sequence of events at the railway station, where the first blast took place.
Sources say that two men, Ainul alias Tarique and Imtiaz alias Kalimuddin Ansari, who have been arrested in connection with the blast at railway station, have told investigators that they were assembling bombs inside the toilet near platform number 10 when suddenly a man's phone rang in the adjoining toilet. This made them nervous, sources said, adding that the duo hurriedly left one of the bombs in a cistern.
But the bomb exploded, injuring Ainul; Kalimuddin tried to run away leaving behind some bomb material and an explosive-laden bag but was caught by policemen patrolling the railway station.
The National Investigating Agency, which probes terror attacks, has taken over the case.
The Bihar Police has blamed terror group Indian Mujahideen, though the group has not claimed responsibility.
One of the six bombs that exploded at Gandhi Maidan, exploded just 150 feet from the stage where Mr Modi and other BJP leaders appeared.
Three more bombs were found in the park on Tuesday, despite it being cordoned off for inspection by forensic and other experts.
At least one of these bombs was very powerful, a senior policeman said.
One bomb was found in the morning and detonated under the supervision of commandos from the National Security Guard or NSG.