The damage caused by the low intensity blast near the Israel Embassy in high security central Delhi on Friday could have been ''severe'' if the explosive material had not been kept in an isolated place, said sleuths who are probing the case. Various teams of the National Investigation Agency, National Security Guards, Delhi police special cell, Crime Branch among others, have visited the crime scene for post-blast investigations since the explosion took place.
Recoveries made in the last 24 hours has thrown up evidence of explosive materials used that “does not show an amateur hand behind it”, said an investigator.
The preliminary forensic reports with investigators shows that “nitrate based explosive” along with shrapnels and a delayed timer is learnt to have been used to cause maximum damage. However, a detailed report is awaited from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory to ascertain the amount and the concotion of explosives used in the IED. Even after 24 hours of the blast, the NIA sleuths made some recoveries and collected materials from the site on Saturday. The Union home ministry is mulling handing over the case to the NIA but a final call is expected to be taken by Monday.
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Meanwhile, the latest IED blast in the capital has once again brought into focus the lacunae in post-blast investigations carried out by the probe agencies with questions being raised from certain quarters whether the crime scene was kept untouched and evidence was collected on time. Time and again, the NIA has held discussions with the anti-terrorism squads of states explaining the need to preserve the crime scene immediately so that no evidence is lost and recoveries are made on time without any dilution. Detailed guidelines on explosion and bomb scene investigations have been shared with sleuths, which talk about a command structure, role of first responders, identifying scene hazards, preserving physical evidence, evidence that can be compromised by weather conditions, identifying witnesses, victims, preliminary evaluation and use of tools and equipment during such operations.
However, sleuths familiar with the post-blast investigation pointed out lacunae in ensuring scene integrity which has become critical as the probe progresses.
With international links suspected to be behind the blast, both internal and external intelligence agencies are on their toes to ascertain the local and foreign links to the blast.
''Till we have substantial leads, we cannot say whether it was an insider job or role of foreign elements,'' said an investigator.
Meanwhile, the purported letter recovered by the Delhi Police special cell hinting at an Iranian link, CCTV footages, information given by a cab driver about two suspects, are all under investigation. It is learnt that the cops have detained two persons and they are being questioned.