Forensic experts unsure on use of RDX

VARANASI: More than 24 hours after a blast ripped through Dasaswamedh ghat here killing one and wounding 35, investigators don't seem to have a clue to the explosives, gadgets and chemicals used to string together the bomb that went off during Ganga Aarti on Tuesday. Three persons were detained for questioning.

On Wednesday morning, forensic experts from Agra and Delhi, teams from National Investigation Agency, Intelligence Bureau, and other anti-terror agencies reached the city and scoured the ghat looking for clues.

The local police, though, remained bogged down till well past noon with a series of VVIP arrivals in the city. Among those who came calling were CM Mayawati and home minister P Chidambaram. Worse, BJP called a bandh in the city and kept policemen busy.

Although Varanasi cops couldn't join the probe in right earnest, forensic teams collected samples and left the city. R P Singh, IG (Range), confirmed this and said initial tests on the samples recovered weren't conclusive. Hopefully, the forensic reports would come in by Thursday evening.

"The initial tests don't seem to suggest that ammonium nitrate was used in the improvised explosive device, but if RDX was used isn't clear yet. What has flummoxed investigators is that there's no evidence of batteries or wires being used to put together the bomb."

Singh added investigators were looking for similarities between Varanasi bomb and those used in IM strikes. An FIR has been lodged in the case, the inspector Dasaswa-medh Ghat has been appointed investigating officer and a list of witnesses drawn up.