PUNE:
In a major blast that took place during the destruction of unserviceable ordnance at the field range near the Central Ammunition Depot (CAD) in Pulgaon in Wardha district of Maharashtra Tuesday, at least six people were killed and 10 others injured. The incident took place around 7 am when some unserviceable ordnance from Ordnance Factory in Khamaria near Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh was brought to Pulgaon for controlled distraction.
The deceased were identified as Rajkumar Rahul Bahute, Prabhakar Ramdas Wankhede, Narayan Shamrao Kachare, Pravin Prakash Munjewar, Vilas lakshmanrao Pachare, and staffer Udayveer Singh. Of the 10 injured, four are in critical condition.
KMM Prasanna, the Inspector General of Police for Nagpur range, confirmed that six persons were killed and 10 others injured. “Of the 10, the nature of injuries of the four was serious but they are said to be out of danger. The injuries of six others are not serious. All are being treated at a hospital in Sawangi area in Wardha.”
Prasanna added, “At this stage, we have filed a case of accidental death, pending probe into the cause. A thorough inquiry will be conducted and legal action will be initiated accordingly.”
A defence official said, “As the Ordnance Factory in Khamaria does not have the adequate facility needed for controlled distraction, it was brought to a demolition near Central Ammunition Depot (CAD), Pulgaon, where it is generally done. The primary information suggests that the accident took place during this process.”
“There will be probe into the causes of the accident,” the official said. When asked why the villagers were near the area where the incident took place, the official said, “That will be part of the inquiry.”
