At least 40 people have been injured in a bomb explosion in the Indian capital Delhi.

Police say the bomb, which they described as a home made device, was hidden in a street market in an area known as the income tax complex next to the police headquarters.

Several people were clustering around the stall

The explosion occurred just as several hundred government employees had come out of their offices to enjoy the winter sun in the lunch-hour.

According to eyewitnesses, a crude bomb exploded under one of several food stalls in a side street, several people had crowded near the stall at the time.

Only two people are said to be seriously hurt, they have been admitted to a government hospital.

Police have no idea who planted the bomb

The incident is the latest in a series of bomb blasts in Delhi in recent months. On December 31 four people were killed and more than 20 were injured when a bomb exploded on a bus.

A month earlier two bombs exploded in quick succession in a busy street, killing two people and injuring nearly 60.

The explosions have damaged the reputation of the city's police force. A number of senior politicians, including the Home Minister, have expressed serious concern over the inability of the police to arrest those responsible for the blasts.
 

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