NIA, SIT to launch two-pronged probe into Bodh Gaya blasts

A two-pronged probed is likely to be launched into Sunday’s Bodh Gaya blasts -- one by the National Investigation Agency and the other by a Special Investigation Team. The NIA, which was handed over the investigation on Tuesday night, will focus on the modus operandi, while the SIT formed by the Bihar government will probe the accused.  

An NIA officer told rediff.com that the 10 blasts inside the Mahabodhi temple premises were funded through a channel in Bangladesh and the entire operation was carried out with the help of the local operatives. “It was a quickly executed operation and the perpetrators of the attack roped in locals. We will pass on this information to the SIT, which comprises local police. They are in a better position to nab locals and hand them over to us,” he added.  

Meanwhile, the NIA is struggling with the probe. “The 15 hours of CCTV footage from cameras installed inside the temple is of no use.  The night visuals, the time at which the bombs were planted, are not clear. In fact, some of the footage was not even captured, as the cameras had no storage capacity. Moreover, it was even monitored live,” said the official. “No tab was kept on visitors at the temple; even the metal detectors were defunct.”     

The four persons, who were detained in connection with the attack, were released, leaving investigators to hunt for new leads.

Image: Police officers visit the Mahabodhi Temple Complex in Bodh Gaya after Sunday's blasts