Loud Blast Reported near CRPF School in Delhi's Rohini
A loud explosion near a CRPF school in Rohini, New Delhi, caused damage but no injuries, leading to ongoing investigations.
On Sunday, 20th October 2024, a loud explosion was heard near a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) school in the Prashant Vihar area of Rohini, New Delhi, around 7:30 am. Thankfully, no one was injured, but the explosion damaged the school’s wall, nearby shops, and a few parked cars.
Residents and shop owners rushed out of their homes and shops after hearing the blast. They quickly called the Prashant Vihar Police Station to report the incident. A local eyewitness, Shashank, described the moment, saying, “It was around 7:30 am when we heard a very loud noise. We thought an LPG cylinder exploded nearby. We informed the police and the fire brigade. Many glass panes of several shops got shattered.”
Sumit, who owns a nearby sunglasses shop, said, “My window panes shattered, and everything inside my shop fell on the ground. It was a very intense blast.”
The Delhi Police arrived quickly at the scene since there is a Crime Branch, police station, and district court nearby. They cordoned off the area and began their investigation. A bomb squad and a team from the Forensics Science Laboratory (FSL) were also dispatched to find the cause of the explosion.
The teams noted a foul smell and saw thick white smoke rising from the site after the blast. A video of the smoke has gone viral on social media. A senior Delhi police officer stated, “Our forensic team and crime unit are at the spot to collect samples. It could be a firecracker, but we are investigating from all angles.”
Later, the forensic team discovered suspicious “white powder” around the explosion area. They sent it for analysis and also collected soil and wall samples for further examination.
The National Security Guard (NSG) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) are also investigating to see if any terrorist group was involved. The NSG retrieved materials from the site for additional analysis and deployed robots to check for any other bombs or explosives.
Police are gathering mobile network data and reviewing CCTV footage from the area to identify people present during the explosion. An unnamed source close to the police said, “The way the blast occurred suggests the intention was to send a message, not to cause significant damage.”
The Delhi Police were already on high alert due to the upcoming festival and holiday season, and this incident has increased their workload. They have raised security in markets across Delhi ahead of Diwali.
Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor, Vinai Kumar Saxena, assured citizens that he is closely monitoring the investigation and promised strict action against those responsible for the explosion. He also urged people not to spread fear or misinformation.
All investigating agencies are expected to submit a report on the incident to the Home Ministry soon.
