 "National Security Guard (NSG) personnel conduct investigation at the site after a blast was reported at Prashant Vihar, near CRPF school in Rohini area of New Delhi, Sunday, October 20, 2024. PTI")
A loud explosion in New Delhi’s Prashant Vihar area near Rohini on Sunday morning shocked many.
Although no injuries were reported, several vehicles and properties suffered damages.
The Delhi Police, who are probing the bomb blast along with other agencies, allege the involvement of pro-Khalistan groups.
Here’s all we know about it.
The bomb blast
A loud explosion occurred at around 7.30 am on October 20 near the CRPF school, which serves students from CRPF and other paramilitary families, in New Delhi’s Prashant Vihar.
The sound of the explosion was heard from several hundred metres away.
A call was received at the police control room at 7.47 am, regarding the blast, prompting action by multiple security agencies and the police, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the National Security Guard (NSG).
Videos from the spot showed thick plumes rising from the blast site. While no injuries were reported, nearby vehicles, shops, and structures were damaged.
The area has been cordoned off.
Notably, this incident follows a wave of bomb threats directed at Indian airlines last week.
Investigation
According to India Today, citing Delhi Police sources, the explosion was caused by a low-intensity IED (Improvised Explosive Device) that is controlled by a timer or remote, without any shrapnel or ball bearings.
Investigative agencies suspect that the white powder found at the site could be from a crude homemade bomb made with ammonium phosphate and other chemicals. Experts from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and NSG collected samples from the site for analysis to determine the exact chemicals used.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsNSG officials found a battery and wire near the blast spot and are investigating whether these items were placed before the explosion.
According to Moneycontrol sources, CCTV footage has revealed a suspect wearing a white T-shirt at the scene the night before the blast. The explosives were reportedly concealed in a polythene bag, placed in a pit approximately half to one foot deep, and covered with garbage.
Delhi Police has filed a First Information Report (FIR) under Section 4 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, Section 3 of the Indian Explosives Act, and other relevant sections to continue the probe. The agencies will soon submit a report to the Home Ministry regarding the incident.
Following the incident, the National Capital has been placed on high alert.
Eyewitness accounts
An eyewitness at the scene told ANI, “We were sitting at home, then we heard a loud blast. At first, we did not understand what happened, thinking that a cylinder had burst. We then ran down and saw that there was a lot of yellow smoke everywhere, so we called the police.”
“All the glasses were broken. We heard such a loud explosion that we felt our building was shaking too. The lock at the gate near our parking is also broken due to the blast,” he said.
Anita Singh had just returned from a temple when she heard a “very loud explosion.” She told Hindustan Times, “Thankfully, it was Sunday, so no one was hurt. I can’t help but think how disastrous it could have been if it had occurred on a weekday.”
‘A message or signal’
The blast is being investigated from all possible angles, including a potential terror attack attempt.
“We are also reviewing CCTV footage from the area to identify who may have brought the explosives. Forensics teams have collected samples for analysis, which will help us determine the chemicals used and possibly trace their origin,” a senior officer told ANI.
According to police sources, the blast was intended to send a “message or signal,” as the suspect deliberately chose the school wall and morning hours to ensure no loss of life.
“The manner of the blast on the wall side and the morning timing suggest the intention was only to send a message, not to cause significant damage,” the officials said.
The alleged links of the pro-Khalistan group
On Monday, the Delhi Police said that they are probing the alleged involvement of pro-Khalistan groups in the bomb blast.
The development comes after a Telegram post claimed that the explosion was in retaliation for the alleged targeting of pro-Khalistan separatists by Indian agents.
On Sunday evening, a video of the blast with a “Khalistan Zindabad” watermark at the bottom surfaced on the Telegram channel named “Justice League India,” along with a message.
The message read: “If Indian coward agency and their master think they can hire filthy goons to target our members to silence our voice then they live in fools world. They can’t imagine how close we are to them and how capable we are to strike anytime #KhalistanZindabad #JLI.”
The investigation team has requested details about the Telegram channel.
With inputs from agencies