The Delhi Police is investigating a potential Khalistani connection to the blast that occurred near a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) school in Rohini’s Prashant Vihar area on October 20 morning. Although no injuries were reported, the blast damaged vehicles and signboards near the site, as well as the outer boundary wall of the CRPF Public School. A Telegram group named “Justice League India” has claimed responsibility, sparking serious concerns about a possible Khalistani link to the explosion.
At around 6 a.m. on October 20, a strong explosion shattered the calm in the vicinity of the CRPF school. While the blast caused no casualties, it damaged a portion of the boundary wall, blew out window panes of nearby shops, and left a one-foot-deep pit near the school’s perimeter. The impact also wrecked several vehicles parked in the area. Delhi Police officers, along with the National Security Guard (NSG), rushed to the scene to conduct a thorough investigation.
According to an official statement, the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) wrapped in a plastic bag. The Delhi Police Special Cell, Crime Branch, and local police teams have since launched a coordinated investigation to identify the perpetrators behind the attack.
“The sound was so loud that we initially thought it was an accident. It wasn’t until we saw the damage that we realized it was something more serious,” said a local shopkeeper whose store windows were shattered by the blast.
Hours after the blast, a chilling message surfaced on social media, claiming that the explosion was the work of a pro-Khalistani group. The message, posted by a Telegram channel named “Justice League India,” appeared to be a retaliatory statement against Indian agencies for allegedly targeting Khalistani separatists.
The post read: “If Indian coward agency and their master think they can hire filthy goons to target our members to silence our voice, they live in a fool’s world. They can’t imagine how close we are to them and how capable we are to strike anytime. #KhalistanZindabad #JLI.”
Accompanying the message was a CCTV video showing the blast, complete with a “Khalistan Zindabad” watermark. This alarming footage, along with the group’s declaration of intent, has intensified suspicions that pro-Khalistan elements are behind the explosion.
As part of their investigation, Delhi Police have written to Telegram, requesting details about the creators of the “Justice League India” group. The platform’s cooperation is crucial for identifying those behind the claim of responsibility and for tracking down the individuals involved in the blast. So far, police have not received a response from the messaging service.
Delhi Police have registered an FIR at Prashant Vihar police station under Sections 326(g) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, and the Explosives Act. The FIR also mentioned that a “white powder” was found scattered at the site of the explosion, suggesting the presence of ammonium nitrate or chloride as components of the explosive device. Samples of the powder and soil collected from the scene have been sent to the laboratory for further analysis.
CCTV footage from the area has revealed a suspect wearing a white T-shirt near the blast site the night before the explosion. Delhi Police officials believe that the suspect may have planted the IED in a hole dug near the boundary wall of the CRPF school.
Forensic experts from the National Security Guard (NSG) and the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) inspected the blast site and deployed robots to search the area for additional explosive materials. Senior police officers believe that the blast was not intended to cause harm but was a deliberate attempt to send a warning message to authorities. “The selection of the spot and the timing of the explosion suggest that the perpetrator aimed to create a spectacle without causing casualties,” one officer said.
Forensic experts collected samples of a white powder found scattered around the area, believed to be part of the explosive mixture used in the device. Preliminary analysis suggests that the powder could be a combination of ammonium nitrate and chloride, common ingredients in low-intensity explosive devices.
NSG commandos, using robots and specialized equipment, scoured the site for additional explosives. A senior police officer commented, “It seems that the perpetrator intentionally selected a spot that would cause damage but not necessarily harm anyone. The goal was likely to send a clear message to the authorities.”
The explosion comes amidst ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, where recent allegations of interference in anti-India Khalistani activities have strained relations. Indian intelligence agencies have been actively tracking pro-Khalistan elements operating both domestically and internationally, which may have triggered retaliatory actions.
The post on Telegram directly references these tensions, suggesting that the blast was in response to the alleged targeting of Khalistani separatists by Indian agents. While the explosion itself did not result in any fatalities, its timing and location have sent shockwaves through the capital.
Following the blast, security has been heightened across Delhi, with special teams from the Delhi Police, NSG, and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) coordinating efforts to track down those responsible. Police officials have assured the public that every effort is being made to ensure the perpetrators are apprehended swiftly.
“We are taking this matter very seriously. Every angle is being investigated thoroughly, and we are confident that we will soon identify and arrest the individuals responsible,” said a senior Delhi Police officer.
