Pune blasts: Indian Mujahideen's hand suspected; cycle shop owner questioned

Sources say the use of cycles and the circuit triggering mechanism indicates that terror group Indian Mujahideen or a linked module could be behind the blasts. A preliminary forensic report has indicated use of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil. Two people, a cycle showroom owner and one of his employees, are being questioned by the police, say sources. Three cycles used in the blasts were reportedly purchased from this shop.

No Maoist link has been found to the blasts, sources say. Home Secretary RK Singh had earlier said, "The fact that it (blasts) took place within 45 minutes in a radius of less than a kilometre shows there was planning." A case has been registered in the Pune blasts. The Explosives Act has been invoked.

Mr Singh said that two unexploded Improvised Explosive Devices were found with three detonators and these are being carefully studied. Sources say digital timers were used to trigger the low-intensity blasts.

Investigators will be deprived of assistance from security cameras placed at some of the locations where the blasts took place. CCTVs at a branch of Dena Bank was not working; at a McDonald's outlet where another blast took place, there were two cameras - one was on the ground floor, one on the first floor. While the camera on the first floor was not working, the one on the ground floor did not capture images of the street as its focus was inside the eating joint. (Read)

Intelligence sources say that the one man injured, a local tailor named Dayanand Patil, was taken last night to Sassoon Hospital, where he was questioned. He has reportedly said that he stopped near Balgandharva auditorium, where one of the blasts took place, to watch a protest organised by supporters of Team Anna. When he picked up his bag, it felt heavy and within seconds, it exploded. His wife was also questioned by investigating agencies on his routine and schedule.  (Read)

The Pune police has cancelled the permission granted for a public protest to supporters of Team Anna. (Read)

Two red bicycles found at two of the blast sites are being looked at as important evidence. Batteries and ball bearings were found in polythene on one of the cycles - these are used to increase the impact of a blast, though, say the police, in this case the trigger mechanism was not strong and so the explosion caused was of low intensity. Police are trying to track who bought the bicycles. (Pics)

Sushil Kumar Shinde, India's new Home Minister, was scheduled to be in Pune last night for a prize-giving ceremony. He cancelled his plans hours before he was meant to arrive in Pune, reportedly to meet officials in his new ministry.

There is a high alert in all major cities. In Mumbai, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan met senior officials to step up security for the financial capital. He said, "All experts will come to Pune and find out what device it was and what was the motive. When we know anything more concrete, we will share... I request people not to panic."

In Delhi, there is high security at Jantar Mantar, where 75-year-old Anna Hazare and his aides are on a hunger strike supported by a large crowd. A bomb disposal squad swept the area last night as a precaution. (Read)