![An image released by police shows mortar shell which exploded at Purmandal in Samba district on Monday night. An image released by police shows mortar shell which exploded at Purmandal in Samba district on Monday night.](https://cdndailyexcelsior.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/page1-2-23-696x392.jpg)
Mysterious blast in Purmandal
Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, May 27: Three civilians including two women and an ex-serviceman were injured in a mysterious blast at village Khada Madana in Purmandal area of Samba district tonight.
Police, however, said than an old mortar shell seems to have exploded due to fire in bushes leading to explosion and injuries to three civilians crossing the site near fire.
Reports said the blast occurred in Khada Madana area of Purmandal at 8.15 pm when some villagers were crossing the spot where bushes had caught fire.
Injured have been identified as Rameet Singh, 66, an ex-serviceman, son of Sansar Singh, Suraiya Bibi, 58 wife of Shash Din and Semroo Devi, 76, wife of Dharam Chand, all residents of Khada Madana.
Police teams led by SHO Purmandal Inspector Lalit Sharma rushed to the spot and shifted the victims to hospitals where they were responding to treatment.
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Fire was later brought under control. Images released by the police showed mortar shell in flames which might have exploded during the fire.
Senior police officers reached the spot for investigations. Experts were also called but preliminary investigations showed mortar blast.
Locals, however, said that mortar shell fired from across the border can’t reach Purmandal because of the distance. However, sometimes, the scrap dealers or locals carry the shells from the border area or the firing range and then dumped them.
An official statement released by the police said a mysterious blast took place in Khada Madana, Purmandal near a Nalla in which three persons were injured. Injuries are non-critical, the statement said, adding prima-facie reason of the blast seems to be explosion of an old rusted shell.