Malegaon, Sept 9 (ZEENEWS.COM) Initial investigations by intelligence officials have revealed that at least four bombers triggered off the blasts in the communally sensitive town of Malegaon in Maharashtra killing 31 persons and injuring many others.

Sketchy details available with intelligence agencies about the identity of those involved are being verified and corroborated with eyewitnesses, a television channel reported.

Police and intelligence agencies are also analysing calls made and received immediately before and after the blasts, while forensic experts are analysing the nature of the blasts, the kind of material used to assemble the bombs and trigger them off.

The bombs were reportedly placed on bicycles near Bada Kabristan and Mashawarat Chowk in Malegaon. The police are trying to trace the owners of the bicycles.

Intelligence Bureau and the Anti-Terroist Squad (ATS) officials are going over a dozen eyewitness accounts.

Low intensity timed device used in blasts

Low intensity explosive devices were used in the three blasts at a local mosque yesterday that killed 31 people, a senior Maharashtra police officer said. The explosives were detonated by a mechanical or a digital timer, it was learnt.

"Many of the injured have splinter injuries, indicating that explosive devices similar to timer-fitted crude bombs could have been used, the official told mediapersons today.

"There were definitely timer-fitted devices and evidence at the moment suggests that an analogue or a digital timer may have been used," he added.

There were four blasts

After a confusion of nearly 24 hours over the number of blasts, police today said there had been four explosions in this town last afternoon that killed 31 persons and injured nearly 300.

Till this morning, government authorities and the police were maintaining that only two blasts took place, one at Bada Kabristan, where people had gathered to offer prayers for the `Shab-e-Barat` ceremony, and the second at nearby Mushaira Chowk.

Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief, K P Raghuvanshi told mediapersons that four blasts took place. "Three of them took place inside the Kabrastan, while one took place at Mushaira Chowk," he said.

Raghuvanshi said it was too premature to comment on suspected involvement of groups in the blasts till the forensic reports provided an idea on the nature of explosives used in the devices.