Mosque bombed, cops confused

Just two months after the train blasts in Mumbai, terror rocked Malegaon, a town in Nashik district of Maharashtra leaving 37 persons dead.

Coverage: Malegaon Blasts

There was utter confusion among cops as various theories were being applied in this case. First and foremost, the attack was carried out in a Muslim holy place, which foxed the police as this was a relatively new trend of the terror outfits.

The needle of suspicion was initially on the Bajrang Dal, but over a period of time cops said the attack was carried out by SIMI, which was trying to rejuvenate itself after being banned in India.

The Maharashtra Police picked up nine SIMI activists and even charge-sheet them. However, the trial is yet to commence in court as all the accused have challenged the provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crimes Act.

The trial will commence only after the Supreme Court disposes of the case.

Image: Soldiers from the Quick Response Team patrol the area outside a mosque in Malegaon
Photograph: Sebastian D'Souza/AFP/Getty Images