Terror struck New Delhi when nine people were killed and at least 45 injured in a blast this morning outside the High Court premises jampacked with visitors waiting to get entry passes.
Union Home Minister R.K. Singh said the blast was of 'medium to high intensity' and created a 'deep crater' at the site of explosion at the reception area between Gate No.4 and 5 of Delhi High Court. The blast occurred around 10: 15 AM.
The home ministry has also confirmed that it was a terror attack adding, 'it had all the makings of an Improvised Explosive Device(IED) set up by a terror group'.
Singh said 45 people were injured with some eyewitnesses saying some of the injured were in a critical condition.
Special Commissioner Dharmendra Kumar told reporters the bomb was apparently kept in a briefcase.
It was the second blast in four months outside the High Court premises. No one was injured in the previous explosion on May 25.
The Gate No.5 was crowded with 100 to 200 people waiting in queue to get entry passes. There were several lawyers at the spot.
"We are investigating how the brief case was placed there It is not a controlled area. There were lots of people," said Kumar.
Delhi police suspected use of potassium nitrate in the bomb. Court proceedings were adjourned till two PM. The main court premises where all the courtrooms are housed have been evacuated.
Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha was adjourned and question hour suspended for Home Minister P. Chidambaram to make a statement.
Speaker Meira Kumar has condemned the bombing and expressed sympathies for victims.
She adjourned the house till 12.30 p.m. and said the government would make a statement later in the day.
All members joined her to condemn the terror attack.
A home ministry official said that Chidambaram was expected to make the statement in the Lok Sabha at 12.30 p.m.