A loud explosion outside a CRPF school sparked panic in Delhi’s Rohini on Sunday morning and prompted multiple security agencies to launch investigations.

The glass windows of nearby shops and several hoardings were shattered and a parked car was damaged from the impact of the explosion. However, no casualties or injuries were reported.

Police said the exact cause behind the explosion was yet to be ascertained but an initial probe pointed to the use of crude bombs.

The explosion took place around 7.47am in Delhi’s north-west neighbourhood and CCTV footage from the area showed plumes of smoke rising from the vicinity of the school in Prashant Vihar. The police said the school’s wall had also been damaged.

Residents said they woke up to a loud blast and suspected it to be a gas cylinder explosion. Some others likened the explosion to an “earthquake-like” shock.

Sources said forensic experts inspecting the area outside the CRPF school discovered a suspicious “white powder”, which was sent to a laboratory. They also dug up a hole near the school’s wall to collect soil samples for further examination.

Officials from the National Security Guard (NSG) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) have also retrieved materials from the spot. “Whether it is some kind of explosive or anything else can only be ascertained after we thoroughly examine it. We suspect a crude bomb could be the reason behind the blast,” an NIA official said.

NSG commandos, he said, have deployed robots to scan the entire area for the presence of explosive materials.

An FIR has been registered under the Explosives Act, the Delhi police said. CCTV footage around the area is being scanned to determine the sequence of events and ascertain the cause of the explosion.

“We are scanning CCTV footage in the area to identify who planted the bomb. We are not ruling out a conspiracy angle,” said a police official.

Delhi chief minister Atishi lashed out at the Centre over the incident and said the current law and order situation in the capital was similar to Mumbai during the underworld era. She said the blast had exposed the “crumbling” security system in Delhi. The Delhi police report to the Union home ministry.

Delhi lieutenant governor V.K. Saxena said: “A multi-agency probe is on in the blast that took place today. I am keeping a constant watch on the progress of the investigation and assure everybody that the guilty will be brought to book. I appeal to all to maintain restraint and not indulge in fear-mongering.”