Investigators rule out possibility of suicide bomber using an SUV

A team of National Investigative Agency (NIA) and State Forensic Science Laboratory (SFSL) that visited the site of terror attack in Pulwama district, has ruled out possibility of the suicide bomber using an SUV in the attack and concluded that the suicide bomber could have been driving a Maruti Suzuki Eeco which was fitted with RDX and other ammunitions.

On Friday, the team visited the spot to collect evidence about the explosives and the vehicle used by Adil Dar, the suicide bomber. The officials had also video graphed the terror spot where Dar had rammed his car into the bus ferrying CRPF personnels.

On Saturday, the NIA and SFSL team visited the site of terror again.

During preliminary investigation, the officials had suggested that the suicide bomber was driving Scorpio vehicle fitted with explosives.

A senior police officer privy to the investigations told HT that they have got clues from the spot that point out that the suicide bomber was driving a Maruti Suzuki Eeco. “The spot examinations and collection of samples suggest that the RDX and other material were used in the car to make it more lethal,’’ he said.

Police officials say that it is likely that the RDX used in the car could have been brought via Kathua or Jammu. “The investigation is in its early phase and efforts are on to identify the engine number of the vehicle and other details,’’ an official said.

Director general of CRPF, RR Bhatnagar who visited the site on Saturday said, “The forensic teams, NIA and CRPF is investigating the matter. More details will be out once the investigations are complete.’’

Police officials said before the attack took place there was an input from the Srinagar police regarding Jaish-e-Mohammad planning a fidayeen attack on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, mostly an IED blast. However, there was no input about the suicide bomber ramming a convoy of the armed forces.

“We had an idea of an attack after the input was generated, however, it was not about a suicide bomber ramming into a convoy. The input was regarding an IED blast or a possible fidayeen attack on security installation,’’ a senior police officer, said.