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The preliminary forensic sciences laboratory report on the Bodh Gaya blasts may have ruled out the use of RDX to trigger the blasts, but investigators say that the attacks bear resemblance with the blasts carried out at Ahmedabad and Jaipur by the Indian Mujahideen
Analogue timers, ammonium nitrate (150 grams in each bomb) and shrapnel were packed along with a cylinder in all three attacks.
Sources say that contrary to earlier reports, the Bodh Gaya bombs had major explosive capacity.
Experts cite two reasons for the blasts not causing major damage. Firstly, there was hardly anybody around the explosives considering that it was an early morning attack. Secondly, the bombs were placed at a distance from the shrine and the holy tree which minimized the impact.
The next aspect being probed is the bomb signature.
Sources say that even though there is no doubt that the explosives bear Indian Mujahideen’s signature, but then the fact that the bomb structure could have been replicated cannot be ruled out.
IM’s bomb making pattern could be traced back to 2008 when the first details on an operative by the name Muddasir came to the limelight.
After joining the IM in the formation year, Muddasir was sent to Pakistan where he was taught how to make a bomb.
According to Intelligence Bureau officials, Muddasir was told that the use of a timer could get better results, as triggering a blast through a cell phone required a sim card that could be easily tracked.
After returning to India, he was part of every camp of the Indian Mujahideen -- Hubli, Kannur, Delhi or Uttar Pradesh. He handled training in explosives.
Till date, the IM uses his technique while preparing bombs. A slight change in pattern was seen between 2010 and 2011 when the IM wanted to avoid the heat on the outfit.
Today, Muddasir is in Lahore. He fled the country along with the core group comprising the Bhatkal brothers and Abdus Subhan after cops were hot on their trail after the Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Delhi blasts.