Daijiworld Media Network - Jaipur

Jaipur, Oct 21: A late-night explosion on Diwali in the RICO industrial area of Jaisalmer, close to the India-Pakistan border, has triggered a security probe, with officials suspecting the involvement of a military-grade projectile. The blast, which occurred inside a marble factory, is now under investigation by the Indian Army.

The incident unfolded late Monday night when workers and local residents were jolted by a loud explosion. Arjundas, a worker at the factory, initially mistook the noise for Diwali firecrackers. However, a closer inspection revealed a hole in the tin roof and a small fire on the factory floor. He extinguished the flames and retired for the night, unaware of the potential threat.

It wasn't until the following morning that Arjundas discovered a heavy metallic object on the floor. The shell-like item bore the markings "51 mm" and "ILLG" and was accompanied by a parachute—strongly indicating that it descended slowly before impact, as is typical for military illumination shells used in nighttime operations.

Alarmed by the find, the factory owner was informed, who then contacted local authorities. Kotwali Police quickly responded, sealing off the site and calling in the Army for expert analysis. The suspicious object has since been secured, with Army specialists assessing its origin and purpose.

While preliminary assessments suggest the device could be a military illumination shell, there is no official confirmation yet. Investigators are considering various scenarios, including a cross-border misfire, accidental drift, or other military-related incidents.

Given the factory’s close proximity to the international border, the event is being taken extremely seriously. Local security agencies remain on high alert, and residents have been urged to report any unusual objects or activity.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities await a detailed report from the Army.