close
Thursday November 28, 2024

Highly-explosive RDX used in Multan Vehari Chowk blast

CTD investigator says RAW may have used Baloch separatists or MQM activists for explosion

By Nadeem Shah
September 22, 2015
MULTAN: Terrorists used highly explosive RDX (white crystalline solid) in Multan Vehari Chowk blast, The News learnt here.
The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) investigator on condition of anonymity said that international intelligence agencies like India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) or its sponsored Baloch separatists used white crystalline in bomb blasts. He was of the view that the RAW might have used Baloch separatists or MQM activists for the explosion.
He said that the white crystalline had been very favourite to al-Qaeda and it used the substance under female codename – Nadia - which means a ‘crystal clear girl’.
The chemists opine that the RDX is highly explosive substance, which is used in manufacturing plastic explosives such as C-24 and Semtex.
They say that the RDX is also used to create C-4 and mixed with PETN to create Semtex. They say that the RDX is also used in combination with TNT to create Torpex. The RDX is known by many names, including white crystalline.
It is most useful when mixed with plasticizers and binders to create malleable plastic explosives. Pure RDX is very stable. It melts at 204 degree Celsius. However, it is dangerous when stored below -4 degree Celsius. RDX is an extremely powerful explosive with a velocity of detonation of 8,750 meters per second at a density of 1.76 grams/cm3.
Police insiders said that police were still in dark about the Vehari Chowk blast. They said that the departments’ lead investigators could not organise an effective evidence processing team that included bomb disposal technician, evidence custodian, forensic specialist, logistics specialist, medical examiner, photographer (still, digital, video, etc), procurement specialist, safety specialist (structural engineer, etc).