7 Injured In Low-Intensity Explosion In Sadar Bazar

The scene of the blast which occurred in Sadar Bazar area of the Capital on Thursday. Photo: Sunil Saxena

SEVEN PEOPLE suffered injuries when a low intensity bomb exploded in Sadar Bazar, North Delhi this morning. This is the fourth blast in the area in a span of one year.

The blast occurred at 11.45 am near a water tanker in Rui Mandi, Sadar Bazar. According to the police, when the blast occurred, a vendor who sells his wares next to the water tanker, was packing some goods for his customer.

Though the tanker was locked, a small crater was formed in the area where the bomb had been placed. "The bomb was apparently placed inside a plastic container, it was placed outside the tanker which was locked. It had not been dug into the ground," said Ms Upadhye, DCP North.

 

Though a low intensity device, the nature of the substance which caused the blast has not been ascertained at present. According to a police official, when Moha-mmed Tahir lifted a carton, the bomb went off.

Though he escaped unhurt, two of his relatives, Shakir and Nazim suffered injuries.

The tanker has two sets of keys, one of which remains with Jaswant Sapru, a shopkeeper in the area. "As per routine, the water tanker is filled every evening and is locked. It seems that the bomb was placed outside the tanker," said a resident.

Residents of the area alleged that this is the fourth incident of it's kind in the area.

The earlier blasts occurred at Rui Mandi, Qutub Road, Matkewali gali and Baratooti Chowk. The injured, who sustained injuries on their head and lower body, have been identified as Mohammed Shakir, Ganesh, Nizam, Kale, Satpal and Dilip Pandit. The seventh victim is reportedly yet to be identified.

"I was inside my shop, when I heard a loud explosion. Thick smoke had engulfed the area and there was a bad smell," said Adarsh Sapru who has a shop in the area. At that time, there were five people inside the shop. As Adarsh and others ducked for cover, there was a barrage of shrapnel on the shop.

Luckily for them, the glass panes of the shop did not shatter.

********* THOUGH POLICE have stated that the bomb was placed outside the water tanker, eyewitnesses claim otherwise. Mohammed Tahir, a vendor, whose shack was next to the tanker, claimed that the bomb had been placed inside the water tanker. "It is opened everyday to fill water. But no one checks it. When the blast occurred, I was packing some goods for a customer. How could there be a bomb in the carton, when I have it here with me?" he said.

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