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How the Indian Mujahideen tries to confuse investigators

Last updated on: July 14, 2011 16:25 IST

Police use a sniffer dog at the site of an explosion in the Zaveri Bazaar, south Mumbai

Vicky Nanjappa analyses the Indian Mujahideen's modus operandi.

Initial investigations into Wednesday's blasts in Mumbai points the needle of suspicion towards the Indian Mujahideen.

Intelligence Bureau sources informed Rediff.com about the possibility of multiple IM modules carrying out the blasts.

IB sources feel the modus operandi seems similar to the blast in Varanasi in 2010. Even though key IM members planned that attack, the operation was conducted by foot soldiers who were in no way connected with the terror outfit.

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How the Indian Mujahideen tries to confuse investigators

Last updated on: July 14, 2011 16:25 IST

A policeman surveys the aftermath near Opera House in Mumbai

In a ploy to throw investigating agencies off track, the IM has been using construction labourers, mostly migrant Bangladeshis, to plant bombs.

Intelligence agencies say these labourers are paid to plant the bombs at designated spots after which they cross over into another state or country.

Investigators have not yet identified the module responsible for the Mumbai blasts, but sources say the IM's Delhi and Azamgarh modules continue to be the primary suspects.

The Pune module, which too is on the radar, could have provided the logistics for the attacks.

How the Indian Mujahideen tries to confuse investigators

Last updated on: July 14, 2011 16:25 IST

A policeman stands guard at Zaveri Bazaar

One of the bombs in Wednesday's attacks was planted on a scooter. A bomb was also planted on a scooter in the 2006 Malegaon blasts (in which sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur is the prime suspect).

Agencies believe the IM may have copied that style so that the blame is shifted elsewhere.

Why has the IM not owned up yet for the blasts?

Investigators believe this is a tactical shift by the IM. In the past, claiming responsibility for the attacks -- via e-mail -- only led the police to IM terrorists.

How the Indian Mujahideen tries to confuse investigators

Last updated on: July 14, 2011 16:25 IST

Investigators believe the IM was looking to retaliate after the Gujarat police turned the heat on the terror network following the blasts in the state three years ago.

They also point out that IM has been on the backfoot following the arrest of some operatives.