Monday, July 11 2005 11:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ayodhya: "Investigating agencies have unearthed some 'clinching evidence' on the Ayodhya attack but are keeping mum and treading carefully to avoid making any mistakes," police said yesterday (July 10, 2005).

"The investigation is almost in its last stage but we are avoiding undue haste so as not to commit any mistake," Faisabad Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Avinash Chandra said.

"The agencies have obtained some clinching evidence in the case," he claimed but did not say what they were.

"Had the attackers been local we would have identified them by now. Since they were outsiders, the investigation is taking time," the SSP said.

Chandra said that the police were probing the Non-Resident account of Rehan, the driver of the jeep used in the attack.

"It was found that he spent about nine years in Dubai," Chandra said, "and his links with the Gulf country was being probed."

"Rehan's jeep was financed by a bank but he later paid the loan in one go", he said.

He also said that the 'local links' of the terrorists were also being investigated.

The driver was taken to the temple at Rinmochan Ghat several times to recount the events of July 5.

"The militants had pretended to offer prayers at the temple before making the abortive bid to storm the acquired land premises and booked the jeep for Rs 1,300. The deal included taking them to Lucknow after their visit to the complex," the SSP said.