NIA likely to initiate investigation

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is likely to begin probe into the blast near a CRPF school in Prashant Vihar area of ​​Rohini on Sunday morning.

According to a police source, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is likely to transfer the case to the NIA on Tuesday in view of the possibility of terrorist conspiracy or any serious incident.

The NIA conducted a preliminary investigation and collected information related to the evidence. A police source said, “The investigation task in this case may be handed over to the investigation agency NIA by the Union Home Ministry after a few days.”

He added that while a preliminary report has been submitted to the MHA, a full report has been sought by the minister by Tuesday. “After the investigation report in this case is verified by the Special Cell and Rohini District Police, further decisions regarding the investigation can be taken in this case by Tuesday. The case can only be transferred to the NIA taking into account the possibility of terrorist conspiracy or any serious incident,” the source said.

Earlier in the day, teams from the NIA, National Security Guard (NSG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Delhi Police cordoned off the area where the explosion occurred and thick white smoke was present for at least 10 minutes. Forensic experts also collected samples from the scene to determine the cause of the explosion, which was reported at around 7:50 am.

However, after receiving information about any serious criminal incident or terrorist incident or information related to suspected explosive bombs, arrival of NIA for preliminary investigation is part of the protocol.

Due to the explosion, police said a school wall, nearby shops and a car were damaged. Security has already been tightened in Delhi due to the festival season. Plumes of smoke could be seen rising from the scene in alleged videos of the incident. Additionally, two cars were parked near the blast site and a few two-wheelers passed by seconds before the explosion. Local residents said the explosion was “intense” and that there was an unpleasant smell in the area after it.

“The FSL and NSG teams conducted an inspection of the site and took samples. A case vide FIR No. 512/24 u/s 326(g) BNS, 4 Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and 3 Explosives Act was registered in the PS Prashant Vihar, Rohini,” police said.

“Whether it is some kind of explosive or something else can only be determined after examining it thoroughly. We suspect that a crude bomb could be the reason for the blast,” another senior official said.