Planting of bomb on Advani yatra route; One more detained

MADURAI: Police today detained one more person and formed 10 probe teams in connection with the planting of a powerful pipe bomb on the yatra route of BJP leader L K Advani on October 27 and said initial probe suggested that anger against Hindutva forces was the motive behind it.

The two persons arrested yesterday were produced before a local court here, which remanded them in 15 days judicial custody.

Initial investigation revealed that anger against 'Hindutva forces' was the motive for them to plant the bomb, Special Investigation Team sources said, adding "We don't know exactly which group is involved."

Police claimed that they have "definite clues" and the teams have been formed to probe all possible links, but added that more arrests have to be made to establish any strong link.

They were also on the lookout for 'Police' Fakruddin and had detained one Usman Ali today in connection with the incident.

Police said Fakruddin had close links with slain Al-Umma terrorist Imam Ali, who was killed in an encounter at Bangalore in 2002.

To a question, they said fundamentalists from a neigbhouring state, which had links with international extremists could be behind planting of the bombs.

The pipe bomb was unearthed from under a bridge and defused on October 27 at Alampatti village, about 30 km from here, on the route of Advani's yatra. Subsequently, the BJP leader route's was diverted.