A homemade bomb detonated in a Mississauga restaurant last week appeared to contain nails and other household items, police said Tuesday, revealing more details on their investigation into an explosion that injured 15 people.

The search for two suspects continues, and one of them may be a woman, Peel police said at a morning news conference, contradicting their initial report that both were men.

Investigators are continuing to analyze evidence gathered from Bombay Bhel on Hurontario St. near Eglinton Ave., after an improvised explosive device (IED) went off in the busy restaurant last Thursday.

Police released a home surveillance video Tuesday that shows the two suspects running down Preston Meadow Ave., one after the other. The first suspect is seen running through a construction site and down a footpath. The second can be seen slowly walking behind, then running down the road.

The suspects turned left after leaving the restaurant, proceeded east through a construction site at Preston Meadow Ave. and then right onto Thornwood Dr. and Forum Dr., said Supt. Rob Ryan. That’s where the canine unit lost the suspects’ trail, police said, noting they may have got into a vehicle.

The motive for the attack is unknown.

“What led the two suspects to detonate this device is still not clear,” Ryan said at the news conference. “We do not have a clear motive and no one has claimed responsibility.”

He said the Centre of Forensic Sciences will conduct a report on the bomb’s contents.

“Whatever was put in that may be lying around the home,” Ryan said. “We’re hoping science can help identify what it’s made of.”

In an interview with the Star, Ryan said it appeared nails were used in the device, adding that though Peel police have dealt with explosive devices before, it was likely their first time investigating the use of an IED.

Twenty officers have been assigned to the investigation full-time, and the next phase will include combing through the extensive video footage collected by police.

Fifty officers were deployed to respond in the direct aftermath — including forensic identification, drone, intelligence, explosive disposal, and public service units — with the first officer arriving on scene just six minutes after a 911 call was received.

Peel police forensic experts collected fingerprints and DNA evidence from the site.

Intelligence agencies are not aware of any messages or texts that would suggest a terror attack at this time, Ryan said.

Until a motive is determined, police can’t definitively comment on whether there is a continued threat to public safety, said Peel spokesperson Matt Bertram.

Online speculation about a motive has prompted the Ontario Gurdwaras Committee, a major Sikh organization, to condemn both the attack itself and the subsequent rumours — some of which it claims have been spread by “foreign media outlets,” in particular Indian media organizations.

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The two suspects’ faces were concealed by dark material on the night of the incident. They were both described as between five-foot-10 and six feet tall. The first has a stocky build and was wearing dark pants, a hoodie and baseball cap. The second was wearing blue jeans with a dark hoodie, and has a medium build.

Referring to the gender of one of the suspects, Ryan said: “There’s evidence that’s come into light through witnesses and some other video that leads investigators to believe that it just may not be a male.

“I don’t want to say that it is a woman; we’re just not precluding that it may be a woman.”

Ryan is urging anyone with video footage or security cameras to contact police.

Investigators wrapped up their work at the restaurant Sunday night, but management said it will be closed until further notice. Bombay Bhel’s three other locations are open for business.

All of the victims have been released from hospital. Two separate birthday parties were taking place at the time of the incident, with about 30 people in the restaurant, and police have since spoken to all of them.

The victims’ identities have not been released.

Police are asking anyone with any information to contact their tip line: 1-866-966-0616.

Read more:

Tensions rise in South Asian community in wake of Mississauga restaurant bombing

Bombay Bhel owners grateful the 15 victims of bomb explosion released from hospital

What we know and don’t know about the Mississauga bombing

With files from Vjosa Isai

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