M A I N   N E W S

Armyman killed in accidental blast
Dharmendra Joshi
Tribune News Service

Kapurthala, September 23
An armyman was killed and two others injured in an accidental blast caused reportedly while handling explosives at 8 Grenadiers barrack in Kapurthala on Sunday.

The deceased jawan has been identified as Sandeep of Bhiwani. He, along with the two injured men - lance naik Deepak of Jodhpur and sepoy Baldev of Unnao in Uttar Pradesh - and some others, was watching television when the blast occurred at 11.15 am.

Sandeep sustained blast injuries on his chest and succumbed to these a few minutes later. The two injured persons are reportedly out of danger.

Army spokesperson Naresh Vig told The Tribune, “The cause of the low-intensity blast is being ascertained. Army authorities have ordered a court of inquiry into the incident.”

He said, “Prima facie, the blast occurred during cleaning work. Even the type of explosive substance is not yet clear.”

Army authorities informed the district police about the blast at 1.45 pm - two-and-a-half hours later. On getting the information, SSP Inderbir Singh and other police officials visited the spot.

SSP Inderbir Singh told The Tribune that he had raised the issue of late information with the brigadier concerned, but he was told that the Army was busy taking the injured to the hospital. Both the Army and the police have called in their forensic teams.