Daijiworld Media Network - Ludhiana

Ludhiana, Apr 1: A man lost his life while a 13-year-old girl sustained critical injuries following a powerful explosion at an illegally operated firecracker manufacturing unit inside a house on the outskirts of Jodhan village on Tuesday evening.

The deceased has been identified as Kaif Shah, while the injured girl, Alisha, remains under critical care. According to police, nearly 15 people were present on the premises when the blast occurred. While most managed to escape, two persons were trapped under the debris. Kaif later succumbed to his injuries during treatment at a hospital.

Residents said the impact of the explosion was severe, causing extensive damage to nearby structures. Daljit Singh, owner of an adjacent building, stated that the blast led to the collapse of two lintels in his property, resulting in losses worth lakhs. Fortunately, his cattle, which were outside at the time, were unharmed.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the house had been rented out by its owner, identified as Deepa, to migrant labourers allegedly involved in illegal firecracker manufacturing. Police suspect that a large quantity of explosive material stored on the premises may have ignited due to a spark or friction.

Dakha DSP Varinder Singh Khosa, who supervised the rescue operation, confirmed that two persons were injured in the incident, including the deceased. He added that the girl continues to receive medical treatment.

Officials stated that the illegal activity had been ongoing for the past two to three days, in violation of provisions under Section 9B of the Explosives Act, 1884. Authorities also highlighted the risks posed by property owners renting out premises without proper tenant verification.

Police said that the process of registering an FIR is underway. The incident follows a similar explosion reported last year in Indira Colony in Ludhiana, where several people, including children, were injured due to unauthorised storage of firecrackers.