Chandigarh, October 16
Investigation by a team of forensic experts today revealed that RDX was one of the components used to cause the blast in Ludhiana on Sunday night that killed seven persons and injured several others.
The final analysis on the exact composition of the explosive and other components, if any, and the mode of blast will be made only after another test is carried out at a specialised laboratory of the national security guards at Delhi or the Chandigarh-based central forensic science laboratory. This test will be conducted to know if any chemical was added to the RDX to increase its potency. Or if there are any parts of plastic - mobile phones particular -- in the array of samples collected from the blast site.
Traces of RDX have been found from samples that were collected with cotton swabs from seats of the Shingar cinema in Ludhiana. The investigating team has also found a small remnant of a battery similar to the type that is used in electronic items like remote
controls, confirmed senior police officials who are part of the investigation.
It is yet to be established if this battery was part of remote controlled triggering device or was it used in some other equipment like a pocket transistor often carried by migrant labourers. Since most of those dying in the blast were migrants the last possibility is not being ruled out totally.
Meanwhile, a team of the special cell of the intelligence bureau has been working in Ludhiana. It is studying all blasts. The badly burnt bodies had indicated that it was high intensity blast. The survivors are still in daze and whatever information has been gleaned from their versions has been used to corroborate the terror act and the possible suspects.
Meanwhile, the needle of suspicion is still pointing across the border and the police has started working on the theory of identifying movement of illegal Bangaladeshi migrants and also their link, if any, with & K-based operatives.
Separately, the Punjab Police today also asked all SSPs and DIGs to make lists of those persons who had been arrested following the arrest of Jagtar Singh Hawara, one of the assassins of the former Chief Minister Beant Singh. After his arrest about 90 persons had been detained for allegedly having the potential to act as “human bombs”. Most of such arrests were made in Sangrur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Muktsar and Jagraon among other places. Most of these persons are out on bail and could be involved in suspected activities, said police officials. Meanwhile, four special teams have been formed that will work under the SSP, detective.
