The bombs dropped by drones at the IAF facility in Jammu not only contained high-grade military explosive RDX, but the three-layered metal encasing also confirms their ‘sophisticated’ make. Sources said it indicates that the bombs, each weighing around 1.5-2kg, were possibly manufactured in a proper factory set-up, rather than being assembled by a bomb expert.
A source said the ‘sophisticated’ metal encasing indicates that the bomb was possibly manufactured in an ordnance unit, pointing to the clear involvement of a Pakistani state actor even though the investigating agencies are suspecting that it was Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) that launched the drones.
LeT has launched many attacks in India with the aid and active sponsorship of Pakistani state actors.
Meanwhile, the home ministry on Tuesday handed over the case relating to Sunday’s drone attack to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). NIA re-registered the FIR, initially lodged by the J&K Police, under Sections 13, 16, 18 and 23 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, and sections of the Explosive Substances Act and IPC.
NIA, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said two explosions inside the premises of the Air Force Station, Satwari campus, Jammu within 6 minutes of each other, were carried out by drones “in a well-planned conspiracy” that led to injuries to two IAF personnel and damaged office buildings.
NIA, along with the NSG national bomb data center, has been part of the probe right after the attack. A detailed forensic report on the explosives used is expected later in July.
