The terrorists chose the German Bakery as their last-minute target as heightened security at Chabad House and Osho Ashram made it difficult for them to strike either of those. According to hospital sources, among the injured were four Iranians, two Sudanese and a Taiwanese.

Chidambaram said the official toll was nine dead and 57 injured. He confirmed that the photographs of the bodies were taken at the request of the Israeli Consulate General that was curious to know if any Israeli national was among the dead.

Chidambaram said the Koregaon Park area had been on the terrorists’ list. Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist David Headly, who is now in US custody, had surveyed the Chabad House and Osho Ashram, during his visit to Pune. Based on intelligence report, the Pune police increased security at the Koregaon Park area in October, Chidambaram added.

He said that a bag had been placed under a table in the German Bakery, where four or five young men were sitting. They were killed by the blast.

Chidambaram said the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorist Squad had taken over the case from the local police. He appealed to the media not to speculate about the number of suspects detained or interrogated. “Please allow the investigators to do their jobs. Let us not speculate. I reiterate that there has been no intelligence failure. But there is certainly a need to improve intelligence...,” Chidambaram said. Asked if the LeT or the Indian Mujahedeen were involved in the terrorist act, Chidambaram said nothing could be said until the investigation was over.

State Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, who also spoke at the press conference, said that Rs.500,000 compensation would be given to the kin of the dead and the government would bear all medical expenses of those undergoing treatment.

According to police sources, four to five kg of RDX was used in the blast.

An Osho disciple from the United Kingdom said that disciples at the Osho Commune from foreign countries usually frequented the German Bakery after a sermon that ended at 7 p.m. The blast occurred at 7.30 p.m. and as the evening sermon was delayed on Saturday, very few turned up at the bakery at that time, hence the foreign casualties were few.

AT a late evening press conference, Pune Police Commissioner Satya Pal Singh, refused to give any information on the progress of the investigations.