An unattended bag was found in the Ghazipur flower market in east Delhi, on Friday, arousing suspicions. Authorities soon arrived at the scene and discovered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), which was then safely detonated, effectively diffusing the situation. 

Ahead of Republic Day, this bomb scare sent authorities scrambling, when the fire department first received the call at 10:19 AM, as per PTI reports. The agency also reported that a senior official had then confirmed the existence of a ‘suspicious metal box’ in the market. 

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Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana confirmed, “Based on the information received, an IED has been recovered”. With the National Security Guard (NSG) on the scene, a controlled detonation was carried out by taking the bag to open ground and putting it in an eight feet deep pit, far from the large crowds, the Ghazipur market usually draws. Fire tenders were also present at the location. 

An update from the NSG has confirmed, “Samples of the IED have been collected; team to submit a report on the chemical component used to assemble the explosive”.

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The Delhi police also released a statement, saying “A case is being registered in the Delhi Police Special Cell under provisions of the Explosive Act”. Reports suggest that the bag was left by a customer at the market, and the man carrying the bag entered on a scooter at around 9:30 AM, presumably to buy flowers from the shop. 

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When the bag was spotted by other customers, the flower seller contacted the authorities. Meanwhile, the police are also going to investigate whether this bomb has any connections to the upcoming Assembly elections in the neighbouring state, Uttar Pradesh, where voting will take place in seven phases from February 10 to March 7, 2022. Votes will be counted and the result will be declared on March 10.