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Premature to reveal attackers' identity: Patil

Source:PTI
July 10, 2005 18:55 IST

The government has some information on the Ram temple attackers in Ayodhya, but it would be 'too premature' to disclose it now, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil said on Sunday after a meeting with senior state officials to review the overall situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

"We have not been able to reach a conclusion," he said, adding that the Centre would not like to blame anybody for the
attack, but at the same time 'we would not like to spare anyone'.

Investigating agencies have unearthed some 'clinching evidence' on the Ayodhya attack, but were keeping mum and treading carefully to avoid making any mistakes, the police said Sunday.

"The investigation is almost in its last stage, but we are avoiding undue haste so as not to commit any mistake," Faizabad Senior Superintendent of Police Avinash Chandra said.

"Had the attackers been local, we would have identified them by now. Since they were outsiders, the investigation is
taking time," the SSP said.

Chandra said police were probing the 'non-resident account of Rehan, the driver of the jeep used in the attack'.

  • Driver now claims his vehicle was hijacked by militants
  • It was found that he spent about nine years in Dubai, Chandra said and his links with the Gulf country were being probed.

    Rehan's jeep was financed by a bank, but he later 'paid the loan in one go', Chandra said.

    The 'local links' of the terorists were also being investigated, Chandra said.

    The driver was taken to the temple at Rinmochan Ghat several times to recount the events of July 5.

    The militants had pretended to offer prayers at the temple before making the abortive bid to storm the acquired land premises and booked the jeep for Rs 1,300. The deal included taking them to Lucknow after their visit to the complex, the SSP said.

    Source: PTI
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