Sunday’s Mehrauli explosion leaves police hunting for clues

A crude bomb exploded near the Mehrauli bus terminal in south Delhi on Monday.

A crude bomb exploded near the Mehrauli bus terminal in south Delhi on Monday.

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In the past 10 years, 14 such mysterious blasts have taken place in and around Hauz Khas, Malviya Nagar and Mehrauli but the police have no clue on either the motive or the group behind these explosions.

In Mondays’ incident, the explosives were packed in a “spray bottle” with 3-4 inch iron nails. As soon as a cycle hit the bottle, it exploded.

Police have registered a case under sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substance Act and are investigating the case. The explosive was planted near Ambavatta complex on Mehrauli-Gurgaon road.

“The bottle contained explosive substances,” said H.G.S. Dhaliwal, deputy commissioner of police (south). No one was injured, only the cycle was damaged.

“We are questioning the cyclist and are looking for witnesses,” said a police officer.

Samples have been sent to the forensic laboratory.

“Unlike previous incidents this blast did not leave behind any crater. Some basic explosives like the ones used in firecrackers were probably used to prepare it. It could be the handiwork of some mischievous person but we cannot rule out anything,” said the officer.