Delhi Police on Monday did not rule out a terror angle in the firing on two Taiwanese nationals outside the Jama Masjid as investigators found traces of ammonium nitrate in a “crudely-circuited” device that triggered a fire in a car nearby.
Police also transfered the case to the elite Special Cell, specialists in cracking terror-related cases.
“We are investigating all angles,” Delhi Police Commissioner Y.S. Dadwal told reporters in New Delhi on Monday evening when asked whether the firing was a terrorist attack.
When pointed out that senior police officials were maintaining that no organised group was behind Sunday’s incidents, he said, “I don’t know who said that.”
However, the top cop said, Delhi Police was successful in cracking such cases and confident of solving the cases.
The city police had been insisting till Sunday that no organised terror network like Indian Mujahideen was behind the firing at a Taiwanese media crew and a car catching fire near the firing spot, saying some “disgruntled youths or local criminals” could be behind the incident. Two members of the Taiwanese crew were injured in the firing.
Union Home Ministry sources said they were not “ruling in or ruling out” terror angle in the incidents but said it was premature to say that the two incidents were related.
“There was no specific inputs, no prior information. It is difficult to say whether these incidents were related. We are working on some leads. We expect a breakthrough shortly,” a senior Ministry official said.
Police also transfered the case to Delhi Police’s Special Cell on a day investigators also confirmed that traces of ammonium nitrate was discovered from the “crudely-circuited” device which triggered the fire in the car.
“We have found traces of ammonium nitrate, two clocks and wires from the device. The upper lid of a pressure cooker and a plastic box was also recovered. There was no RDX or detonators,” a senior police official said.
Indian Mujahideen claimed responsibility for the attack and threatened terror strikes during the Games saying the incident was to coincide with the second anniversary of Batla House encounter.
The incidents came just a fortnight before the city is to host Commonwealth Games, triggering security concerns as a large number of foreign athletes and tourists are expected to visit the city.
Separate cases — one on firing and another on car catching fire — have been registered in connection with the incidents.
Relevant sections of the IPC, Arms Act and Explosive Act have been invoked in the cases.
Police had received at least three registration numbers of motorcycles allegedly used by the two attackers who opened fire at the Taiwanese nationals.
“We received at least three numbers. We cross-checked and verified them. The owners of the motorcycles were given a clean chit,” the official said.
The firing incident also prompted Games Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi to drive to the Police Headquarters and discuss security concerns with Dadwal and other senior officials.
However, Mr. Kalmadi tried to downplay the incident saying it was not related to the Games. “No need to worry. This kind of incidents happen in any city,” he told reporters after the 30-minute meeting.
He said he discussed with Dadwal the firing incident as also general security issues. “We are happy with the arrangements,” he said.
“I have not received a single phone call from any of the participating countries. They are all happy with the arrangements,” he said.
Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram had visited the Police Headquarters on Sunday and held a 45-minute meeting with senior police officials to review the situation. He left for Jammu and Kashmir on Monday as part of an all-party delegation.
Investigators have already questioned about 30 people following yesterday’s incidents.
Meanwhile, police sent separate teams to Meerut, Saharanpur and Bijnore in connection with the incidents.
Security was stepped in the city following the incidents and armed policemen and paramilitary personnel were deployed across the city to keep a strict vigil.
As a precautionary measure, parking outside Commonwealth Games venues and 470 iconic buildings have been banned and intensive checkings have begun at these places.
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit also visited the LNJP hospital to enquire about the health condition of the two Taiwanese nationals injured in the attack.
