New Delhi: Central Intelligence agencies on August 25 said Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) was suspected behind the twin blasts in Mumbai, in which 45 people were killed and over 150 others injured.

Official sources said preliminary investigations into the blasts indicated that it had been carried off with some of the cadres of banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), who had expatriated outside the country and received training at "Darul-Lashkar" (camp held by militant group for training in explosives for 20 days) in Gulf countries.

The sources said there were strong indications that underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's gang could have provided logistic support for the blasts.

Dawood gang members, deported from Dubai and brought to Mumbai, have already disclosed that Lashkar was imparting training to banned SIMI members to "avenge" Gujarat riots.

The sources said there was a possibility that high quality of Ammonium Nitrate, Sulphur and Gun Powder, was used for carrying out the explosions.

Mumbai police commissioner R S Sharma has said that a police team has been despatched to Pune amidst reports that the city had become a new hub for Islamic militants.

They said that investigations into the blasts at Mumbai Central on December 6, 2002 and Mulund on March 13, 2003 have revealed that the accused had also received training and planning in Kondva forest area of Pune.

Saquib Nachan, considered to be the kingpin of the subversive activities in Maharashtra, is alleged to have organised their stay and other facilities in Pune.

PTI