Rain delaying probe, ammonium nitrate established: Mah ATS chief

"Investigators have found ammonium nitrate. But because of the rain, it will take a little longer for them to provide the details on other aspects.

"We have to wait a bit longer for the forensic opinion," chief of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) Rakesh Maria told reporters, a day after 17 people were killed in the latest terror attack in Mumbai.

He said “prima facie it appears a timer device” was used to trigger the blasts. “Samples have been taken from the spot. Sifting is going on. It is too early to say anything. Let the experts arrive at a conclusion.”

Maria said police and investigation teams were putting in their efforts to solve the case and bring the culprits to book.

“No matter where they are, we will identify them and bring them to book,” he said.
Maria appealed to people in the city not to give heed to rumours and rubbished the reports that undetonated bombs have been found at different places in Mumbai.
He said investigators were “not confining” themselves to any one group. "We are not confined to one group, we are covering all angles, examining all possibilities," Maria asserted.

"Investigation is a long drawn patient process. You cannot ask for instant results.”
He said investigators were also examining “voluminous” CCTV footage that has been taken from from all the three locations. “They are examining it. It. We are going through it.”

Maria said investigations had been launched by the ATS, Mumbai Crime Branch and other central and state agencies to get at the root of the case.

Around a dozen teams comprising officials from various agencies have been set up to probe different aspects of the blasts.

Maria is a veteran of investigating several terror attacks, including the Pune German Bakery blast last year.

Urging the media and people to have faith and trust in the police, Maria said: "So far, no case has gone undetected. Please don't give in to rumour-mongering."