Prophet comment row: why is police planting dummy IEDs in Delhi explained

A security assessment exercise that involves setting and planting dummy Improvised Explosive Devices in areas with high footfall of people is underway in the national capital New Delhi.

The Indian Express reported that the exercise is being done to check preparedness of police department in light of a warning by Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent 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.

The Delhi Police Special Cell “infiltrated and planted” 30 dummy IEDs in places with high footfall since June of which only 12 were detected — by the public, private security guards and local police.

The first batch of 15 dummy IEDs was planted on June 12 across Delhi’s districts, and 10 of them were detected.

Also watch: Al Qaeda threatens India over Islamic Prophet Mohammad controversy, weeks after comment on hijab ban

A police officer told the newspaper that another batch of 15 dummy IEDs was planted on June 28, but this time 13 couldn’t be detected. The Delhi Police will continue to hold the exercise.