Large cache of firecrackers seized from poultry farm near Phagwara, 3 held

In a major operation ahead of the festive season, the SBS Nagar police seized a large stockpile of firecrackers and explosive material from a poultry farm in Mehli village near Phagwara on Thursday late night, leading to the arrest of three persons. The raid, conducted under the supervision of Nawanshahr SSP Mehtab Singh, resulted in the recovery of nearly 3,850 kg of explosive substances valued in lakhs of rupees.

Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav confirmed the development late Thursday night, and termed it a significant recovery ahead of festivals like Dasehra. Acting on specific intelligence, a police team raided a poultry farm in Mehli village, Behram Police Station, near Phagwara where an illegal cracker manufacturing and storage unit was reportedly being operated.

DIG Satinder Singh said that a case had been registered at under Section 9B of the Explosive Substances Act and Sections 288 and 125 of the BNS against three accused identified as Arif, Mustkeem Ali,  both from Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, and Feroz, a resident of Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh.

DGP Yadav said that the recovery included eight bags of potash weighing 400 kg, 70 packed boxes of firecrackers weighing 1,050 kg, 100 boxes of fire-base crackers weighing 1,600 kg, and 40 bags of grounded coal weighing 800 kg. The poultry farm has been sealed, and the seized material has been taken into custody for further forensic and legal examination.

SSP Mehtab Singh said the investigation is under way to ascertain whether the explosives were being manufactured illegally at the site or stored after being brought from another state. He added that efforts are being made to trace the supply chain and identify others who may be involved in the racket.