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Police retrieve CCTV footage of Pune blasts
See photoNEW DELHI: The Centre today described the near simultaneous explosions in Pune as a planned and coordinated act.
Union home secretary R K Singh said forensic experts were examining the two unexploded IEDs and nature of the four blasts.
"Since the blasts have taken place within an area of 500 metres and within a span of 45 minutes, it appears to be a coordinated act. I am sure there was a plan behind it," he told reporters here.
Singh said teams of National Investigation Agency, National Security Guards and Central Forensic Science Laboratory reached Pune early this morning and were examining the explosives.
"They have examined two IEDs which had not exploded. There are three detonators in each and other peculiarity. Investigation is on. We are making progress," he said.
Home minister Sushilkumar Shinde said there was no update on the blasts so far.
Shinde, who assumed charge of the key department yesterday, held a high-level meeting with top home ministry officials to review the security scenario in the country, particularly Pune, in view of last night's blasts.
PROBING ALL ANGLES
Maharashtra home minister R R Patil said investigating agencies were probing all angles to determine whether any terror outfit was behind the low intensity serial bomb blasts that rocked the city last night.
"Whether it was a terrorist act or not will be determined only after proper investigations are carried out by Maharashtra ATS, city crime branch and central agencies," Patil told reporters after visiting the four blast sites on J M Road here.
Four coordinated low-intensity explosions struck the busy arterial J M road in the heart of Pune last night. The explosions occurred at Jangli Maharaj( JM) road at spots near Balgandharva Theatre, Dena Bank branch, a McDonald food outland Garware Bridge.
Asked whether there could be a "saffron terror" angle to the incident, he said, "All angles are being probed and it will not be proper to comment at this stage."
He said the person injured in one of the blasts-- near Bal Gandharva theatre -- was being treated for minor injuries.
The injured person-- Dayanand Patil, who hails from a nearby village of Uruli Kanchan, had reportedly visited the spot opposite the Balgandharva Theatre, where a 'dharna' agitation by India Against Corruption (IAC) was in progress.
After he left the place, the explosive, which had apparently been put in his carry bag, exploded on the way, police sources said.
Unconfirmed reports said ammonium nitrate could have been the substance used in the blast triggered by small detonators and pencil cells.
Police have also issued an advisory to IAC activists to wind up the dharna pandal for security reasons.
Life in the city returned to normal late night as the blasts did not cause any large scale damage.
Police have appealed to people to ignore rumours and carry on daily routine without fear.
