AMRITSAR, Sept 26 — The state headquarters of the Bajrang Dal, which is also being used as office of the Hindu Vishva Parishad, today collapsed due to powerful blast which left one dead and seven injured.

While the police claims that the explosion was due to ignition of potash and LPG gas cylinders stored there for the preparation of Dasehra and Divali, the Bajrang Dal the Vishva Hindu Parishad, the BJP and the All-India Hindu Shiv Sena insisted that it was the handiwork of the ISI.

While windowpanes were smashed to pieces, coolers and air-conditioners were also damaged in the adjoining areas.

Cranes and ditch-clearing machines reached late to rescue those possibly trapped in the debris. However, Deputy Commissioner Narinderjit Singh could not reach the site till 6 p.m. though the explosion occurred at 1.40 p.m.

Those admitted in Guru Nanak Hospital included three halwais who were preparing sweets inside the Bajrang Dal headquarters while one person was making crackers. The SSP said a huge quantity of potash and burnt crackers were recovered from the site which was a clear proof of making of crackers for stuffing into the effigies of Ravana etc.