An improvised explosive device (IED) was recovered from a bag left unattended at the flower market in Ghazipur, east Delhi, on Friday.

Police and the bomb disposal team were dispatched to the market after the suspicious bag was spotted. Special cell officials were on hand and the elite National Security Guard (NSG) counter-terrorism force was also called in. Fire engines were also dispatched to the site, Delhi police said.

The NSG performed a controlled explosion to neutralize the IED. About 1.5 kg of explosive material was found, a significant amount capable of inflicting heavy damage.

Ensure that there are no casualties, #DelhiPolice recovers an IED in Ghazipur Phool Mandi. The device was disposed of by the NSG Bomb Disposal Squad using a controlled explosion.#DelhiPoliceUpdates@cp_delhi @DCCPestDelhi pic.twitter.com/wcGXQVHCRB

— #DelhiPolice (@DelhiPolice) January 14, 2022

#LOOK | Delhi: The National Security Guard (NSG) carry out a controlled explosion of the IED found at the flower market in Ghazipur, east Delhi pic.twitter.com/tV0PMYxSLF

— ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2022

Footage from the scene showed the market had been evacuated and the area cordoned off.

More details will become available after the NSG performs a detailed analysis of the remnants of the explosive device.

An investigation has been opened into the incident.

“A case is registered in the Delhi Police Special Cell under the provisions of the Explosives Act,” a police official told ANI.

SURVEY SO FAR

Sources told India Today that the people or group who planted the IED targeted the busy flower market in Ghazipur to stage a major terror attack ahead of January 26, Republic Day.

The bag, in which the IED was kept, was placed in such a way as to cause maximum damage in a crowded place.

Delhi Police, Bomb Squad, Special Cell and NSG joined forces to thwart the attack.

The agencies have already begun their investigation into the case. Special Cell extracted video footage from 15 CCTV cameras near the market.

The NSG has taken samples of the explosive and will conduct a forensic examination to find out how the IED was assembled. Initial examination shows that the explosive is a mixture of nitrate. The device could have been triggered using a clock or a cell phone.

Investigators study the roadmap to understand how the IED came to market and who is responsible for setting it up.

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