New-gen terrorists may be behind Surat bombs, claim police

The planting of bombs in Surat could be the handiwork of a new generation of terrorist group or the Students Islamic Movement of India working under a fresh identity, the police said on Sunday.

"So far, no organisation has claimed responsibility for the bombs planted in Surat. The authenticity of the Indian Mujahideen, which has sent an e-mail to a media agency before the blasts in Ahmedabad, is yet to be ascertained," Surat deputy commissioner of police V Chandrasekhar said.

"It is possible that the group which may be responsible for the blasts in Ahmedabad and planting of bombs in Surat, belongs to a new generation of terrorist groups," Chandrasekhar said.

"It could also be SIMI working under a new identity. These facts need to be ascertained," the DCP said.

"We have been conducting raids in different parts of the city and interrogating people. The SIMI workers who were arrested in 2001 from the city, after the organisation was banned, are under police scanner. So, any wrong move made by them will be instantly detected," Chandrasekhar added.

The DCP said a special group, which includes himself, assistant commissioner of police Sujata Majmudar and six inspectors had been formed to investigate the case.

Police have asked industrial units in Surat city to tighten their security. "We have been talking to the industries' associations on the security issues. This time they have come forward and assured that they would be beefing up the security," Chandrasekhar said.