Cops hold mock drill after bomb ‘threat’ in Lajpat

“Several police teams with bomb squad and dog squad officials were rushed to the spot,with back-up ambulances. Police team evacuated the market and combing the area. Shoppers and shop owners were informed that it was a mock drill,” a senior police officer said.

Senior police officers,including Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast),Shalini Singh and Joint Commissioner of Police (South),Ajai Kashyap visited the spot.

According to police officers in Lajpat Nagar police station,a meeting was called in the office of the Assistant Commissioner of Police on Tuesday evening at 5 pm and all five market associations were asked to attend.

A market association member said,“The police told us that they had received a mail from a terrorist group. The mail said that a bomb blast would take place in the market in five days,in addition to various blasts in five other places in Delhi.”

The member said that cops specifically told them that “Bacha sakte ho to bacha lo” was written in the mail. Shop owners were asked to be vigilant and were asked to keep a lookout for possible suspects.

Police sources said the security in the market has been tightened after the receipt of the mail. Police sources said that at least two companies of police officers have been posted in the area. Also,as a precautionary measure the police decided to close the Lajpat Nagar Central Market by 8.30 pm,instead of its usual closing time of 11.00 pm.

DCP Singh,however,said: “A mock drill had taken place in the market today. I am not aware of a threat mail.” Other senior officers also refused to divulge any details.