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Kavita Bajeli-Datt in New Delhi
An bomb blast near South Extension, a commercial plaza in New Delhi, four days before Independence day has sparked panic, as it came despite police assertions of making foolproof security to ward off terrorist attacks.
A senior Delhi police official said, "A low-intensity bomb exploded close to midnight on Saturday, injuring a man who was suspected to be transporting the explosive in an autorickshaw."
The official said the autorickshaw driver had stopped at a red light junction and started the vehicle with a jerk.
"It seems the bag, in which the bomb was kept, fell on the road due to the impact and exploded," he said.
Eyewitnesses said there was a loud bang followed by smoke. The spot where the blast occurred was scraped while the autorickshaw and a passing car suffered minor damages. The police found nails and jute strings at the site.
But despite being injured, the suspect managed to sneak off in the melee.
Saturday's blast created a flutter for the police.
"There was not much damage. Fortunately this happened when the markets were closed," the official said.
The South Extension area is home to two upmarket and busy shopping plazas.
Police said they have a good description of the suspect, who was of strong build and had hired the autorickshaw from Noida, neighbouring Delhi.
The blast occurred hours after the Delhi Police claimed that they were on high alert following intelligence inputs that terrorists could target Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Home Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani.
Intelligence agencies have reportedly said that female fidayeen or suicide squads of the pro-Pakistan Lashkar-e-Tayiba could target key Indian politicians around August 15, India's 54th independence day.
Indo-Asian News Service
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