Mumbai train blasts probe on right track: DGP

Nagpur, Aug 20 (UNI) The probe into the July 11 serial blasts in Mumbai transit system is on the right track, Maharashtra Director General of Police (DGP) P S Pasricha said.

''Some pieces of the jigsaw puzzle have fallen into the place, and (we know that) these pieces are right. We are confident of a breakthrough soon,'' he told reporters here last evening.

The police have arrested nine suspects so far in connection with the Mumbai blasts, but they were all part of the support network, Dr Pasricha said, adding that they had yet not been able to establish who had actually placed the explosives in the trains. ''The interrogation of the nine suspects has not provided any clues because the terrorists operated strictly on a ''need to know'' basis, the DGP noted.

Dr Pasricha hinted that a ''foreign hand'' was involved in the Mumbai blasts, but declined to elaborate further.

''I can only say that those involved had undergone training in the Kashmir Valley and in a foreign country,'' he said.

In reply to a question, the DGP said that it would be ''premature'' to connect the abortive bid on the headquarters of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Nagpur to a foreign power. The police had clues on the movement of the assailants and the vehicle used by them, he said but again refused to reveal details saying the invstigations are in a ''crucial state''.

Dr Pasricha said a dedicated cadre would be created to strengthen the State Intelligence Department (SID). At least half of the SID's strength would consist of direct and permanent recruits to ensure better working. The state government had already given its consent for the move and the process is on, he added.

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