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Bag at Delhi airport tests positive for suspected RDX in initial checks, triggers panic

The suspected explosive has been put under observation for the next 24 hours, only after which something certain about it could be said.

Bag at Delhi airport tests positive for suspected RDX in initial checks, triggers panic

Indira Gandhi International Airport. (File Photo: IANS)

An unattended bag was found at the Indira Gandhi International Airport T3 terminal in the wee hours of Friday, suspected to be carrying explosive RDX, security agency CISF said after initial Explosive Vapour Detector (EVD) check.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on duty at the terminal has taken the black-coloured bag, first detected around 1 am, in its custody and has kept it in a cooling pit.

Preliminary inputs suggest the content of the bag to be RDX. Dog ‘Guide’ has indicated that the bag could be containing highly explosive substance, a top officer confirmed, following which due measures have been taken to ascertain the nature of the danger contained in the bag.

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“Immediately, EVD check of the same was carried out and found a positive signal of RDX inside the bag. The baggage was also checked by Dog ‘Guide’, which also gave a positive signal for explosive,” a CISF statement said.

However, the exact nature of the explosive is being ascertained, sources said.

The explosive has been put under observation for the next 24 hours, only after which something certain about it could be said, they added.

It could be an explosive or an improvised explosive device (IED), but it is not clear at present, the sources said.

The Delhi Police said a call was received around 1 am, following which the bag was found at arrival gate number two of the terminal.

“The bag was removed with the help of CISF and shifted to another place. It has not been opened yet. It seems like there are some electric wires inside it. We have increased the security of the airport premises,” said Sanjay Bhatia, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Airport).

The incident caused panic among passengers who were not allowed to exit the terminal for a few hours.

Officials said personnel of the CISF and the Delhi Police conducted a complete anti-sabotage check of the Indira Gandhi International Airport after which passenger movement was allowed around 4 am.

The roads outside the high-security complex were also blocked, they added.

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