Khanna SP, DSP suffer burns while disposing of seized drugs

Two senior police officers from Khanna suffered burns while disposing of confiscated drugs in Amritsar on Thursday.

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The officers, SP Tarun Ratan and DSP Sukh Amritpal Singh, were part of a team that had travelled to Amritsar to destroy narcotics in the boilers and furnaces of Khanna Paper Mill.

The incident occurred around 1.45 pm when the operator opened the furnace lid to put drugs into it. A sudden burst of fire from the furnace reached the drugs lying outside and soon the entire confiscated stock of drugs caught fire.

SP Tarun Ratan suffered 25 per cent burns, while DSP Sukh Amritpal Singh suffered burns on the arms.

The injured were taken to a private hospital. Tarun Ratan is still admitted there, while Sukh Amritpal Singh was discharged after treatment. All other police personnel and operators escaped unhurt in the incident.

The Khanna Paper Mill has the state’s largest incinerator, which is a designated facility for the safe destruction of seized narcotics.