Terror outfit Indian Mujahideen has claimed responsibility for the blast that occurred at a Varanasi ghat on Tuesday evening, in which 20 people have been reportedly injured.
Sources in the Intelligence Bureau say that they cannot confirm this immediately, but are studying the claim made by the IM.
"The nature of the blast and the place chosen all lead us to believe that it was an IM operation," an IB source said.
Apart from Pune in Maharashtra, the IM has its strongest base in Uttar Pradesh and is considered to be the birthplace of the outfit.
"The IM has been desperate for attention off late after a phase of lull caused by intense counter-terror operations. There has been a big fall in the recruitment of IM operatives following a massive crack down in the past. These terror groups were looking to carry out attacks using emotive issues, so that they can garner support for their group which was down until now," the source said.
No specific alerts
With regard to Uttar Pradesh there were no specific alerts of a terror strike.
There were alerts sent out by the IB and Home Ministry to the UP police at the time of the Ayodhya verdict and also during the anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition.
Apart from that there was no specific instance of an attack at Varanasi. The alerts that were sent out all suggested either communal tension and also a possible IM operation in Uttar Pradesh.
The security agencies felt that the IM would be looking to target the state to make a statement.
