Manchar blast part of bigger conspiracy, says ATS

The anti-terrorist sqaud (ATS) in Pune has predicted possibility of a bigger conspiracy in a low intensity blast that happened at state transport bus terminus in Manchar on Sunday. The police team investigating the matter has recovered gelatin sticks from the location and a 12-foot-long wire, which was used to plant the bomb inside a bus.

"Gelatin sticks were used in the device that was planted under the last seat inside a state transport bus, which was parked at the Manchar terminus," ATS inspector Peter Lobo told reporters here.

The incident damaged a major portion of the bus but did not lead to any human casualties. "There were some six passengers inside the bus on the front row of seats, who did not sustain injuries," Lobo added.

The ATs found out that a 12-foot-long wire was connected with gelatin sticks and was hanging out of the bus window. The ATS is carrying out investigations with the local police in this regard. "We want to find out if the act was just meant to create panic or it is part of a bigger conspiracy," Lobo stated.