Blasts, a lesson in investigations: Hosur

Hosur led the investigating team when he was Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), Bangalore City.

“We need to prepare for external vigilance and zero tolerance to failures. Preventing an attack and responding to an attack are two vital aspects. Preventing an attack is the biggest challenge. Hence, we should gear up the intelligence machinery. We must rehearse more on responding to an attack. We need to evolve proper crisis management system as well,” Hosur told Deccan Herald.

The blasts were the most challenging case for Hosur in his career. Initially, the team had over 40 police inspectors and 500 policemen before a core team from the CCB took over the investigation.

“It was an amateurish attempt on the part of terrorists as there was not much expertise in the methodology used. The damage was minimal as low-intensity bombs were used. We interrogated 250 suspects from Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. The biggest relief is that there was not even a single case of violation of human rights,” Gopal Hosur said.

Serial shocker

* Eight blasts rip apart the serenity and calm of Pensioners’ Paradise on July 25.

* Thirty-five year-old Sudha killed in the blast at Madiwala Checkpost near a bus stop.

* Nine people arrested, a few others at large.

* Micro-chip based timer devices, detonator, ammonium nitrate, fuel oil mixer, nuts and bolts used.

*  Shahabuddin Gouri Brigade, an unknown wing of Indian Mujahiddin behind the blasts.