Startling details have emerged in the aftermath of the serial blasts at a prayer meeting in Kerala, as the main suspect, 48-year-old Dominic Martin, has claimed to have acquired his bomb-making knowledge from the internet. Initial investigations also suggest that he spent a meager ₹3,000 in crafting the deadly explosives.
Internet-Based Bomb-Making Expert
Dominic Martin, who is reportedly well-versed in electric circuits, disclosed that he learned how to assemble bombs from online sources. Martin had spent years working as a foreman in the Gulf, where he acquired expertise in handling electronic devices. Approximately two months ago, he returned to India with the sinister intent of carrying out the blasts, according to sources.
Investigations have indicated that the improvised explosive devices (IEDs) used in the attack were constructed from low-grade explosives often found in firecrackers. Remarkably, Martin is believed to have assembled these IEDs at his home.
Motivation Behind the Attack
Martin’s heinous act was targeted at the participants of the Jehovah’s Witnesses convention, where he had placed the explosives with the intent of causing harm. Before surrendering to the authorities, he posted a video message on a social media platform, revealing his motivations. In the video, he stated that he deemed the teachings of the organization to be “seditious.”
According to Martin, the religious community was imparting values he believed were detrimental to society, including children. His efforts to communicate his concerns to the group went unheeded, leading him to resort to engineering the serial blasts.
Tragic Outcome
The Kerala serial blasts took a tragic toll, resulting in the deaths of two women and a 12-year-old girl. Approximately 50 individuals sustained injuries during the series of explosions that rocked a convention center in Kalamassery, near Kochi, on the day of the incident. The convention, attended by around 2,000 people, was organized by Jehovah’s Witnesses.
The blasts occurred within minutes of the prayer meeting’s commencement, with eyewitnesses recalling that the first explosion disrupted the gathering. While the group had an evacuation plan in place, the presence of smoke triggered a stampede, further escalating the chaos.
National Investigation Agency to Probe the Incident
In light of the grave incident, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), known for its expertise in counter-terrorism operations, will undertake the investigation into the serial blasts. The incident has sent shockwaves across the region and raised concerns about the dissemination of extremist ideologies and the role of online platforms in radicalization. Authorities are diligently working to uncover the full extent of the plot and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Sources By Agencies