Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
A loud blast at the Vasundhara police outpost in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad late Friday night left a food delivery worker injured and damaged the premises, prompting authorities to rush the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), bomb disposal squad and forensic teams to the spot. A case has been registered into the matter.
Police said on Saturday that all possible angles, including a potential terror link, were being investigated.
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Security agencies are also verifying a social media post by an organisation calling itself “Tehrik Ul Mujahideen”, which has claimed responsibility for the explosion.
However, no outfit by that name has so far been identified by security agencies, raising suspicions that the claim could be an attempt to mislead investigators.
The explosion occurred near the rear boundary wall of the Vasundhara police outpost, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Indirapuram police station, on November 6.
The blast damaged window panes of the outpost and caused cracks in the walls of rooms inside the premises.
Glass in the washroom and other rooms was shattered, while several items kept inside were also damaged.
According to police, a sub-inspector and a food delivery worker, identified as Vishal, were present at the outpost when the explosion took place. The delivery worker sustained minor injuries and was provided assistance.
An FIR has been registered in connection with the incident on the basis of a complaint filed by a police officer posted at the Vasundhara outpost.
The case has been lodged under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including provisions related to the Explosives Act and damage to public property.
The complaint states that a powerful explosion occurred at the rear of the outpost at around 10:50 pm on November 6.
Ghaziabad Police Commissioner J Ravindra Gaur said the investigation was underway and that the cause of the explosion had not yet been established.
He said the bomb disposal squad, field unit and forensic teams had collected evidence from the site.
“Yesterday, around 9:00 PM, we received information about an explosion near the rear wall of the Vasundhara police outpost, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Indirapuram police station. At that time, a Sub-Inspector and a delivery boy were present at the location,” news agency ANI quoted Gaur as saying.
“The investigation has not yet revealed the cause of the explosion. We are examining the incident from every possible angle. Once the reports are available, we will be able to clarify how the blast occurred,” he added.
Forensic teams collected samples from the spot and sent them to a laboratory in Agra for examination.
Initial inspections by the bomb disposal and forensic teams reportedly did not detect any explosive material, gunpowder or residue at the scene.
Investigators are awaiting the forensic findings to determine the nature and cause of the explosion.
A suspicious two-wheeler found parked on the elevated road has also been taken into possession by Ghaziabad Police.
Investigators are examining the vehicle and scanning CCTV footage from the surrounding areas to identify suspicious movements and establish whether anyone was involved in the incident.
The investigation has also drawn the attention of central and specialised agencies.
An NIA team visited the blast site on Saturday, while a Delhi Police Special Cell team inspected the premises.
Uttar Pradesh ATS DIG Abhishek Yadav also reached the outpost to review the situation. “We will investigate and let you know,” he told reporters.
Further investigation into the matter is underay.
– Ends
With agency inputs
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
