An explosion in a busy street of Old Delhi’s Naya Bazar on Tuesday left a 60-year-old labourer dead and four others injured.
The impact of the blast was such that at least half-a-dozen shops around the blast site suffered heavy damage, leaving a bed of glass pieces scattered on the street.
The police, who inspected the site, found that the explosion was caused by two large crackers-laden bags landing heavily on the ground. “At the spot, we found a large quantity of crackers materials and items used in manufacturing toy pistols,” said SBK Singh, Special CP, Law & Order (North).
The man who lost his life has been identified as Motalip Mirza, a labourer who was carrying the two bags. CCTV footage of the blast suggested Mirza was too tired to carry the load on his shoulders because of which he dumped it on the ground. His legs were seen trembling moments before he brought the bags down.
With early speculations of the blast being a possible terror attack, the incident sent panic waves across the capital for the first few hours before senior officers cleared the air.
Security stepped up
Security across the national capital was stepped up soon after the incident. The police have also promised a crackdown on illegal suppliers of firearms in the capital, particularly areas around the blast sites which is a popular, albeit heavily crowded, market for crackers.
The blast took place in Pattewali Gali in Naya Bazar area.