New Delhi, September 14
A day after five blasts rocked the Capital, the Delhi police today claimed to have gathered “vital clues” on the terrorist attacks which left more than 25 dead and over 100 injured. Official sources put the death toll at 21.

A senior police officer said based on these clues, they were confident of tracking down the perpetrators of the ghastly act.

The police detained six persons and a joint team of central security agencies and special cell of Delhi police spent the day interrogating suspects.

Sources said two persons were rounded up from the walled city and two from Okhla. Two from Barakambha were let off after interrogation.

The police also questioned a cycle shop owner who allegedly sold the bicycle which was used to plant bomb in Greater Kailash market.

The suspects are believed to have links with the banned SIMI outfit. A team of officials from the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), Mumbai, and the Rajasthan police reached Delhi this afternoon to assist in the investigations.

A major manhunt has been launched to trace Tauriq, who has emerged as the main suspect.Tauriq, a qualified engineer and an expert in computers, is believed to have links with SIMI.

He could have hacked the WiFi system in Mumbai to send the terror e-mail to various media houses.

Addressing a press conference at the Police Headquarters, Delhi police spokesman Rajan Bhagat said they were close to cracking the case.

“We are close to solving the case. The investigation is in the right direction and we will nab those behind this act very soon”, Bhagat said.

The Delhi Police has announced a reward of Rs 50, 000 to anyone giving a clue on the blasts. It also gave Rs 50, 000 to the rag pickers who helped the security agencies to trace four live bombs that were defused.

The police is preparing sketches of the suspects based on the information of five witnesses, including Rahul, a 12-year-old balloon seller, who claimed to have seen the men who planted the bomb at India Gate Park.

“Rahul saw two tall bearded men who came in an auto and threw a packet into the trash can before rushing off”, said a source.

The special cell officials are seeking help of an auto driver who claims to have ferried the bomber to Gaffar Market in Karol Bagh.

Meanwhile, a study of the four defused bombs reveals a distinct pattern and striking similarity between the Gujarat terror attacks and the Delhi blasts yesterday.

“The live bombs defused or dismantled in the Capital were identical with the 22 recovered in Surat in July this year”, said Karnal Singh, Joint Commissioner of Police (Special Cell).

The Delhi police and the National Security Guards (NSG) found three live bombs, two in Connaught Place and one at the India Gate Park, yesterday which were defused.

The bombs had electric wires attached to them with iron splinters and ball bearings to cause maximum damage, similar to those found in Surat.

Intelligence officials believe the same group is behind the attacks in Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Delhi.

In the last three terror attacks, the Indian Mujahideen (IM), believed to be the striking arm of SIMI, sent email threats to TV channels, alerting them about the impending blasts.

It has again claimed responsibility for the blasts in the Capital. It is perceived that the Indian Mujahideen accomplished 'Operation BAD' - which the intelligence thinks stands for 'Operation Bangalore-Ahmedabad-Delhi'.

After more than 20 blasts in Ahmedabad on the evening of July 26, killing 56 persons, intelligence officials had intercepted a call made from the across the border claiming "Operation BAD is successful".

RML Hospital chief medical officer said they had had discharged 31 patients of the 60 admitted since Sunday. Ten of those admitted were in serious condition and another 19 were recuperating.