The forensic examination of the unexploded improvised explosive device (IEDs) used at the Mahabodhi temple in Bihar revealed that ammonium nitrate, sulphur, potassium, trinitro toluene and splinters were mixed and stuffed together in small gas cylinders. These were wired to circuit boards and attached to detonators that were triggered through analogue clock timers.
According to preliminary report forwarded to Union Home Ministry by a team of National Security Guard, 13 analogue clock timers triggered bombs used in the blast. Of the 13 IEDs planted, three bombs had failed to go off. “These are low-cost operations. The attempt of terrorist group was to make the whole operation localised. One suspected IM operative is being questioned by police,” a senior intelligence official said.
Sources in the Home Ministry said each cylinder had approximately 200 grams of IEDs mixed with shrapnel like nails and bolts to inflict maximum damage.
“It has a complex design and such cylinder bombs were first used by Colombian insurgents around a decade back. The patterns investigated in earlier blasts in India suggested that IM was using pressure cookers and tiffin boxes to mount explosives,” sources said.
The officials are not ruling out the footprints of obscure terror outfit Jamaat ut Tawheed wal Jihad (JTWJ) in the attack. They confirmed that an advisory was issued last week and the threat was from a splinter group of al-Qaeda. “The threat had specifically been directed to strengthen the security of Dalai Lama as the terrorist group was planning to mount an attack on Buddhist installations. It could be a joint operation of IM and JTWJ,” he said. The Home Ministry had directed state government to strengthen the security of Tibetan spiritual guru after issuing the alert. A Z- plus protectee, Dalai Lama’s abode in Dharmshala has a security ring provided by the state police.
