Delhi school blast: ‘White powder,’ ‘message’ angle – Here’s what investigators suspect so far

A loud explosion near a CRPF school in Rohini area of New Delhi on Sunday has put the capital on high alert, triggering responses from various security forces and the police.

Footage from the scene shows smoke rising close to the school in the Prashant Vihar area. In another video, a clear sound of an explosion can be heard. Several vehicles parked nearby had their windows shattered due to the blast, but fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Delhi Police believe that the explosion may have been caused by a crude bomb. An officer noted, “Whether it is some kind of explosive or anything else can only be ascertained after we thoroughly examine it. We are suspecting a crude bomb could be the reason for the blast.”

Investigators think the explosion was intended as a message rather than to inflict serious harm. A source from the police told ANI, “The manner of the blast on the wall side and the morning timing suggest the intention was only to send a message, not to cause significant damage.”

A few hours after the explosion, authorities recovered a white powder-like substance from the area. “The white powder sample has been collected by the FSL and NSG teams and is currently under investigation,” officials confirmed.

Police suspect the white powder could be a mixture of ammonium nitrate and chloride. “There was a foul smell of chemicals after the blast. Residents and police officials who rushed there also felt the same. Our teams are investigating the entire matter,” a senior officer told PTI.

Teams from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and National Security Guard (NSG) collected evidence from the site, including wires and a battery, to figure out what kind of explosive was used.

An FIR has been filed under the Explosives Act, and authorities are reviewing CCTV footage from the area to piece together the sequence of events and identify the cause of the explosion.

Following the incident, Delhi’s Chief Minister Atishi criticised the BJP-led central government for its handling of law and order. She posted on X (formerly Twitter), “The incident of a bomb blast outside a school in Rohini is exposing the crumbling security system of Delhi. The responsibility of law and order in Delhi lies with the BJP’s central government. But the BJP, leaving this work, spends all its time obstructing the work of the elected government of Delhi. This is the reason why the situation in Delhi today is like the Mumbai underworld era of the 1990s. Bullets are being fired openly in the city, gangsters are extorting money, and the morale of criminals is high.”

(With inputs from agencies)