30 'dummy IEDs' planted across Delhi to check police alertness, 12 found

To check preparedness of police departments in the national capital, the Delhi Police Special Cell "infiltrated and planted" 30 dummy improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in places with high footfall over the past month, of which only 12 were detected by the public, private security guards and local police.

The decision to conduct the dummy IED drive was taken in light of a warning by Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) that it would orchestrate suicide bombings in Delhi, Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat over comments on the Prophet made by suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma.

At a recent crime review meeting, Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Hargobinder Singh Dhaliwal made a presentation before Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana about the need to conduct such mock infiltration exercises.

"The first batch of 15 dummy IEDs was planted on June 12 across Delhi's districts, and 10 of them were detected. Of the 10, two were detected by the public in Southeast and North districts; three by security guards of malls in South, Rohini and Outer districts; and five by the local police in North, Northeast, East, Northwest and Outer North districts," a senior police officer said.

Dhaliwal also informed the police chief that another batch of 15 dummy IEDs was planted on June 28, again in all the districts, but this time 13 couldn't be detected.

The two that were detected had been planted in the northern range.

After the presentation, Asthana asked Dhaliwal to conduct a similar drive at the IGI airport, railway and Metro stations to check the alertness of police and ensure vigilance. Initially, the Special Cell had decided to conduct such a drive twice a month, but they now plan to conduct it once every month.