At 10 past 3 in the afternoon, an explosion ripped through the floor of the Civil station building situated at Kakannad. Residue of Aluminum powder was found at the site. The initial response of the public system was that of shock and disbelief which may have resulted in the delay in initiating investigations. If news agencies are to be believed no conclusive fact regarding the incident could be confirmed even two hours after the incident.

According to reports today, the police suspects a timer device to have been used to detonate the bomb. The presence of a powder that resembles aluminum powder raises a lot of concern. The presence of an aluminum powder resemble points its fingers at a possible use of Photoflash powder, which is used in military munitions as the main charge in IED's(Improvised explosive device). And this photoflash is not available to normal customers, not even to certain firework manufacturer's unlike black powder. The report that police has concerns that this is a rehearsel to test this timer device might be on target.

Chemical examiners and bomb squad obtained vital clues related to this. Samples of ammonium nitrate and parts of detonator, timer and battery were recovered from the blast site. The presence of ammonium nitrate also heaves up along another deadly possibility for the bomb- Astrolite explosive; which are said to be the world's MOST POWERFUL NON-NUCLEAR EXPLOSIVE, and Astrolite-G, claimed tobe the world's highest detonation-velocity liquid explosive. Both explosives are remarkably safe to handle and are unusually versatile. Both also can be mixed from nondetonable components. If the terrorist in the state have attained this state of expertise in developing bombs, there is a definite necessity to be concerned.

POLICE'S STATEMENT

The pipe bomb blast at the Kochi collectorate Friday was a planned one, police said Saturday.
The explosion took place around 3.10 p.m. in the staircase leading to the fifth floor of the building. Initially it was thought to be a fire but later forensic experts inspecting the site found that that it was a pipe bomb and identified a timer, ammonium nitrate and batteries.

Speaking to reporters after inspecting the site, state Director General of Police Jacob Punnose said that the police have got vital clues but were unable to divulge it presently.

“This is by no means a small blast and hence we are leaving nothing to chance. Our inquiries are now mostly centred around Kochi and also at a few other places,” said Punnose.

Courtesy: www.cochinsquare.com

A blast occurred in the 5th Floor of the collectorate today. Initially thought to be a terror attack, it was later confirmed by the officials that it was due to some explosive substances kept in that floor. Luckily, no one was injured in the suspected “bomb” blast. The emergency services were pressed into action pretty quickly and the whole thing was under control. I guess the dudes at the collectorate were just having a blast

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Oommen Chandy alleged such events were happening because the morale of the police is at its lowest.

'This is due to the manner in which the state government is handling the police department,' he said.

Hmmm .. what else can he say??? :-)