The alleys of Kanpur's Mishri Bazaar were abruptly engulfed in fear. To one side, not too far away, stood a mosque, and just 500 meters on the other side was the police station. Amidst lively Diwali shopping, a deafening explosion rattled the walls, shattering glass windows of shops and echoing with screams. Moments later, a second explosion followed, even more powerful, sending a wave of panic through the crowd.
This duo-explosion occurred in the densely populated Mishri Bazaar of Kanpur's Moolganj area around 7:30 PM on Wednesday evening. The incident resulted in injuries to eight individuals, with four transferred to Lucknow's KGMU, and the remaining treated at the district hospital, while two others have been discharged after treatment.
Back-to-Back Explosions
Initial police investigations revealed a shocking discovery. Both explosions originated from scooters parked in the area, one belonging to Ashwani Kumar who was injured and is currently hospitalized in Lucknow. Kumar was shopping for decorative lights in the market. The second scooter, owned by Vijayendra Prasad Rastogi of Govind Nagar, could not be contacted by police. Eyewitnesses described it as if the ground shook, with an initial explosion followed by another seconds later, prompting people to flee. Many shop walls cracked and merchandise scattered across the road.
Illegal Activities Under Fireworks Cover
As investigations progressed, suspicions arose that these blasts weren’t part of a terror plot but rather linked to illicit fireworks storage. Kanpur Police Commissioner Raghvendra Lal noted that initial evidence suggested involvement of fireworks. It appeared illegal firework stockpiling was rampant in the area, contributing to the incident. He clarified the incident wasn't an ordinary accident, revealing that many shops in Mishri Bazaar were fronting toy businesses while illegally selling fireworks. Some unscrupulous police members were allegedly involved, promising rigorous action against all guilty parties.
Illegal Fireworks Market Near Police Station
Shockingly, the operations took place just 500 meters from the local police station. While officially toy shops, during festive seasons, these businesses transformed into a covert firecracker hub. Following the blasts, a police search uncovered large fireworks stashes and gunpowder canisters behind several shops. Six individuals have been detained, and sources claim the network’s ringleader has been apprehended.
ATS and STF Lead Investigation, NIA Ready to Act
Given the incident’s magnitude, the UP ATS (Anti-Terrorist Squad) and STF (Special Task Force) have been drafted into the investigation. Commissioner Lal emphasized that no angles are being neglected, whether fireworks or conspiracy. Comprehensive inspection of all facets is underway. Meanwhile, sources report that the NIA (National Investigation Agency) is preparing to send a team from its Lucknow branch to Kanpur, focusing on the blast's nature and analyzing explosives through forensic means.
Source: aajtak
Panic Amidst Rumors Post-Explosion
Right after the explosions, rumors ran rampant. Some claimed a bomb was thrown, while others speculated it was a terror attack. The police had to deploy additional forces and cordon off the area to manage chaos. Commissioner Lal stated that initial rumors caused chaos in hospitals, but clarified it was likely a fireworks-related accident, not a terrorist incident.
Forensic and Bomb Squad Intensify Investigations
The bomb squad, anti-sabotage team, and forensic experts have been deployed on-site. Explosive samples have been collected and sent to a Lucknow lab for analysis. Police anticipate the results will affirm whether the blast stem from fireworks or other explosive materials.
Enhanced Vigilance Implemented
In response to the incident, Kanpur Police has launched a crackdown on illegal fireworks across markets and warehouses citywide. Orders have been issued for immediate imprisonment of any merchant found selling fireworks without a license. Commissioner Lal emphasized expansive search operations citywide, asserting no negligence will be tolerated during the festive periods. Security remains the top priority.
