A bomb explosion was averted in the national capital after the detection of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) inside an unattended bag in a flower market in east Delhi on Friday. It was diffused through a controlled explosion.
The detection of the IED, weighing around 3 kg, in the Ghazipur market, which borders Uttar Pradesh, came days ahead of Republic Day celebrations and Assembly elections in the neighbouring state.
Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana said the IED was kept inside a metal box, which was left by an unidentified man who came to buy flowers. Officials said the man had come to the market in a scooter and bought flowers. While leaving, he kept the bag which was on his scooter on the side.
"The bomb disposal squad of the NSG, prima facie, has found chemical compounds like RDX and Ammonium Nitrate in the manufacture of the IED recovered from Ghazipur," NSG Director General MA Ganapathy was quoted by ANI as saying.
Upon discovering the unattended bag, alert sellers immediately informed police at 10:19 AM, following which a team of Special Cell of Delhi Police and bomb disposal squad rushed to the spot. The National Security Guards (NSG) with its bomb disposal team also rushed to the spot.
"A fire tender was sent to the spot and police officials also arrived. The NSG team was also subsequently called," a senior police official said.
The area was cordoned off and the experts in the bomb disposal teams identified that the IED was indeed a crude bomb and decided to conduct a controlled explosion for which an eight-feet deep pit was dug.
Officials said the bag with bomb was placed in such a way that it would cause maximum damage.
The NSG has taken samples of the explosive and will be conducting a detailed forensic analysis.
With elections and Republic Day celebrations round the corner, security agencies are on high alert to ensure that there is no untoward incident.
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