Police seize massive explosive haul, 1 held | Lucknow News
Lucknow: During a search drive following two separate blasts earlier this week, police recovered a massive haul of around 3,000 kilograms of explosives, including ready-to-use firecrackers and raw gunpowder, from the Behta area of Gudamba and arrested one person.Officials said the material was found hidden in homes, roadsides, fields, and orchards. Villagers claimed that if the entire stockpile had ignited, the settlement would have been reduced to rubble. The explosions occurred on Aug 31 at the residence of Alam, where firecrackers were allegedly being manufactured. Alam and his wife, Munni, died on the spot, while their son Irshad (20) and relative Nadeem (17) sustained critical injuries. Both were admitted to KGMU Trauma Centre, where Irshad died on Thursday and Nadeem on Friday, taking the death toll to four. Several neighbours, including Hoorjahan, her son Jian, Zaid, and his wife Iram, were also injured. Police have registered FIRs against multiple persons for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, attempt to commit culpable homicide, and illegal storage of explosives. On Friday, police arrested Behta resident Tinu alias Ali Ahmed, who was wanted in the case, while the search for others continues. Officials said that only three people in the locality possess valid firecracker-making licences, each permitting production up to 25 kg. However, the accused were operating far beyond permissible limits. Fearing arrest after the crackdown, several illegal operators have reportedly fled the area. Police are now moving to cancel existing licences and intensify surveillance to prevent recurrence.
