Explosion in Ludhiana house leaves 12 hurt

Twelve persons, including two children, were injured in a blast at a house in Indira Colony near Cheema Chowk around 1.30 pm on Thursday. Four of them have sustained severe burns. Preliminary reports suggest the explosion occurred in the powder illegally stored there by the house owner for manufacturing firecrackers.

House owner Usman Khan had been reportedly stockpiling firecrackers and ingredients for manufacturing explosives ahead of the Chhath Puja festival.

Commissioner of Police Swapan Sharma said, “The house belongs to Usman Khan, who makes Ravana and other effigies for Dussehra. A substantial quantity of gunpowder and other ingredients used in effigies and fireworks was stored at his house, which led to the blast. Further investigation is underway.”

The injured have been shifted to hospitals. Ten patients were admitted to the Civil Hospital. Four of them were later referred to Rajindra Hospital, Patiala. Two others were admitted to the CMCH. Forensic teams and a dog squad inspected the site for gathering evidence.

ADCP Sumeer Verma said the police were investigating the sequence of events leading to the blast. “While the exact quantity and chemical composition of the explosives will be confirmed by forensic experts, preliminary findings suggest Khan was involved in illegal manufacturing of firecrackers and storage of explosives in violation of the Explosives Act. The suspect’s son is also among the injured. We are in the process of registering an FIR,” Verma said.

Aam Aadmi Party legislator Ashok Prashar Pappi condemned the incident, stating, “Strict action will be taken against anyone found guilty of endangering residents’ lives by storing explosives in residential areas.”