Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 23: Three teen-aged brothers from Ramban were killed in an explosion at Birma bridge near Udhampur along Jammu-Srinagar National Highway this afternoon after they fiddled with mortor shell while trying to take scrap out of it.
“A blast took place in a nallah near Birma bridge in Udhampur. Three children had gone there when blast occurred today,” official sources said. The three brothers were killed and have been identified as Vikas (15), Deepu (10) and Meheshu (7), all brothers and sons of Bola Ram of Ramban district presently living in Barmi area.
Sources said investigations were on into the nature of the blast and reasons for the children being at the accident site but reports indicated that the children had inadvertently picked up mortar shells presuming that they were dead and started fiddling with them to get scrap.
However, one of the shells exploded, leading to an explosion, killing all three brothers on spot.
Such was intensity of the blast that bodies of the three brothers flung into air and were thrown several meters away from the site of blast.
Their parents work as labourers.
The bodies have been shifted to hospital and would be handed over to their family members for last rites after legal and medical formalities including the post-mortem. The parents reached the hospital immediately after getting the report.
A case in this regard has been registered, sources said, adding that the Forensic experts along with police officials visited the spot to ascertain nature of the explosion. However, any kind of sabotage behind the blast has been ruled out and it was clear that the explosion was caused by a scrap.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has expressed profound shock over the tragic death of three brothers in an explosion in Udhampur district.
In his condolence message, Mufti Sayeed conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved family members and prayed to Almighty for giving them courage to bear such an irreparable loss. He also prayed for peace to the departed souls.
The Chief Minister instructed Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, to enquire into the incident and extend all possible assistance to the bereaved family.
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