Naya Bazar explosion: Home Ministry seeks report from Delhi Police; one dead, 5 injured

New Delhi: The Home Ministry on Tuesday sought a detailed report from the Special Cell of Delhi Police after a low-intensity blast in Naya Bazar in the Chandni Chowk market in the national capital killed one person and injured five others.

According to news agency ANI, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh called up Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Verma and inquired about the person who died in the explosion this morning in Naya Bazar.

Rajnath, who is in Bahrain, telephoned the Delhi Police Commissioner to take stock of the situation in the national capital and sought a detailed report into the incident.

Verma briefed him about the incident and the steps taken in this regard, reports said.

The Home Minister also instructed the Delhi Police Commissioner to arrest those involved in the incident and take all possible measures to ensure peace in the city.

The blast took place in Naya Bazaar area near Chandi Chowk in north Delhi at around 10:30 am, a police officer said adding that the deceased has not been identified yet.

Delhi's anti-terror wing and Special Cell visited the site of explosion.

Later, the crime and forensic teams also reached the site of the blast to pick up the samples.

"Prima facie it looks like a firecracker explosion in a jute bag. Though, the nature of the blast is yet to be ascertained as doubts remain if the explosion was caused by firecrackers or cylinder," Virendra Chahal, Joint CP Northern Range had told reporters.  

Explosive materials used in making firecrackers were found at the site of explosion in the area. Window panes of the surrounding buildings were damaged due to the impact of the blast.

The area was cordoned off by the Delhi Police.

Delhi Police personnel have been maintaining a tight vigil in view of the festive season.