12-yr-old killed, two hurt while making crackers in Amritsar

Amritsar, April 18

A minor was killed and two others injured, one of them critically, in a blast at Kotla Kazia village in Ajnala sub-division here this evening.

The 12-year-old deceased was the only son of his parents. As per villagers and the police, the victim was grinding potash (potassium nitrate) to make firecrackers illegally for use at a volleyball tournament. Potash is one of the major constituents of gunpowder.

The injured included another 12-year-old and Sunjit Singh, alias Sunny (20), of the same village. While Sunny sustained an eye injury, the minor suffered severe injuries in the arms and legs.

The two minors were grinding potash, while Sunjit was parking his bike when the blast occurred. They were taken to a hospital where one of the minors succumbed around 2 am.

Ajnala SHO Mukhtyar Singh said the police had booked a 14-year-old boy, who allegedly brought the explosive material, under Section 304 of the IPC. Potassium nitrate is a banned material.

Village sarpanch Dhir Singh said a volleyball tournament was underway at the government school ground when the incident occurred.

MP Gurjit Aujla visited the village and expressed condolences with the family. — TNS

Ascertaining source

Investigations are underway to ascertain the source of the explosive material. — Mukhtyar Singh, Ajnala SHO