Home grown jihad, external bomb maker

With prime suspect Indian Mujahideen's expert bomb makers are in prison, investigators believe a bomb maker from outside the country was used for Mumbai blasts, says Vicky Nanjappa

Investigators believe that an external hand helped make the bombs used in the three Mumbai blasts on Wednesday evening.

Initial investigations point towards the bombs being assembled by a professional. But with the top bomb makers of the Indian Mujahideen, which is the prime suspect at the moment, under custody in police stations across the country, investigators are examining the possibility of a bomb maker from outside the country being involved in this attack.

The IM-Lashkar-e-Tayiba link appears to be the strongest right now, with all leads pointing towards the two outfits.

The IM had at least 10 expert bomb makers. While a couple of them are away from the country, the rest are in custody. As a result, the IM has been erring with their bombs.

Investigations of the recent attacks in Delhi -- old Delhi and outside the Delhi High Court -- show that the bomb maker had gone wrong while placing the detonator. Forensic examinations proved that the detonators malfunctioned.

Looking at the cadres of the IM at the moment, investigators say, it is clear that they have sought the help of some persons from outside to carry out this attack.

All possible angles are being probed at the moment; the material used for the blasts will be sent for forensic examination, a police department source adds.