Cops Suspect Role Of Lone Wolf In Blast

Rohini Court Incident A Dry Run For Bigger Attacks? Police Probe

- Rajshekhar Jha

New Delhi: Investigators probing Thursday’s blast at Rohini Courts Complex suspect that a lone wolf or a small group radicalised online by terror recruiters, who may have been instructed to execute a terror strike around the Babri Masjid demolition anniversary, could be behind the incident.

“As the security at all installations and on the streets was at a maximum on December 6, it appears the plan might have been pushed forward by two-three days,” said a source.

The theory of “online radicals” stems from the fact that the IED was not a sophisticated one and left behind unburnt powder. “This generally occurs when the bomb-making instructions are passed on through chats and videos or the maker learns the steps online, so he’s not able to master the intricate details,” said the source in the security establishment.

Police also suspect that the man who planted the IED may have been dressed as a lawyer and entered and exited through the basement. Seven of the eight lifts go to the basement, which have metal detectors and are used by court staff, cops and lawyers. Footage of CCTV cameras installed around the court was being analysed to identify any suspicious vehicle having a lawyer sticker.

Another theory by an intelligence source suggested that it could be a “mini dry run” and a bigger blast could be in the works.