Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 10: A special team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) today reached Udhampur from New Delhi to join investigations in yesterday’s Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast at Slathia Chowk in Udhampur town in which one civilian was killed and 16 others were injured.
Sources told the Excelsior that the high-level NIA team inspected the spot and splinters recovered from the blast site to ascertain exact nature of the explosive device used by the militants to target civilians.
“The NIA team from New Delhi remained at the blast site for more than hour along with the State Investigation Agency (SIA) and Udhampur Police officials,” sources said, adding the agencies were reaching a conclusion that the IED appeared to be a local made device.
In view of this, they said, the investigating agencies are focusing on Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of the militants from Dudu, Basantgarh, Doda and Kulgam who might have planted the IED at Slathia Chowk.
“It, however, is yet to be ascertained whether the IED had been fitted inside the vegetable box at Fruit Mandi or kept at the ‘Rehri’ at Slathia Chowk,” sources said, adding the CCTV footage of various locations is being gathered to reach to a definite conclusion.
Investigating agencies are, however, tightlipped over clues gathered in the blast so far saying details will be shared at an appropriate time.
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