Bomb found near India Gate ahead of R-Day parade

Bomb found near India Gate ahead of R-Day parade
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

NEW DELHI, JANUARY 23: Despite large-scale security arrangements for the Republic Day celebrations, unidentified persons succeeded in planting an explosive device near India Gate. It was detected by the Delhi Police near a wooden pole along the barricades around 8.30 am on Sunday.

The security team recovered the device before the final dress rehearsals began. The device, which was concealed in a plastic jar in which a hand grenade (HE-36) was connected with an extra detonator along with a ABCD timer, was scheduled to explode in two hours.

Police personnel Rohtash Singh, Mahender Singh and Bijender Singh, who were on an anti-sabotage checking spree, identified the device when they saw a flash of light on the ground. They cordoned off the area and dug it up. The bomb disposal squad was summoned and the Improvised Explosive Device was defused with the help of sand bags.

A case has been registered at the Tilak Marg police station under Section 3 and 4 of the Indian Explosive Substances Act. Theinvestigators are combing possible hideouts to trace the accused.

The recovery of the bomb came even as the Delhi police claimed to have made elaborate security arrangements for the Republic Day. A fortnight back, the police had launched a thorough checking of the area in and around Rajpath, Rashtrapati Bhawan and the lawns adjoining India Gate to ``sanitise'' the area.

Delhi Police Commissioner Ajai Raj Sharma convened a meeting of top police officials and reviewed the security arrangements, police sources said. He asked his men to take utmost precaution and intensify the security at the parade venue.

In a related development, Delhi Police has issued a press release alerting the public to take extra caution as intelligence reports indicate ``that subversive and anti-national elements are trying their utmost to sabotage the Republic Day celebrations.'' Those attending the Republic Day function are requested to check the area where they are seated. They should be on the vigil and alert to everysuspicious movement around them. They should notify the nearest police authorities immediately or call at telephone number 100 if they spot any suspicious substance or unattended item lying around.