UP firecracker factory blast main accused Naushad arrested after police encounter

A day after a massive factory explosion in Kaushambi district, Uttar Pradesh, police arrested the main accused, factory operator Naushad, following an encounter early Tuesday morning.

According to police, the accused was attempting to flee the city after the incident.

During the siege, he opened fire on the police team and was shot in self-defence in the leg. The injured accused has been sent to the Manjhanpur District Hospital for treatment.

According to police, the operation took place around 4 a.m. on Tuesday on the Terah Mile-Syed Sarawan Road in the Charwa police station area.

Police received information from a special informant that the main accused in the August 31 explosion at the firecracker factory in Mahmadpur Manuri was attempting to escape.

Upon receiving the information, a police team arrived at the scene and cordoned off the area.

Chief Inspector Shivank Singh stated that four teams were formed on the instructions of the Superintendent of Police to arrest the main accused.

All teams were conducting raids and searching for the accused. Meanwhile, based on information received from an informant early Tuesday morning, the police surrounded the main accused.

They reported that seeing himself cornered, the accused opened fire on the police party with the intent to kill. The police returned fire in self-defence, hitting the accused in the leg.

During preliminary interrogation, the injured identified himself as Naushad. He was immediately taken to the district hospital in Manjhanpur for first aid.

According to the police, an illegal pistol was also recovered from the accused. Police are now investigating where Naushad hid after the explosion and who helped him escape.

Police are continuing their efforts to arrest other accused involved in the case.

On Monday, a fire broke out suddenly in the afternoon at a firecracker factory located in a house in Manuri Bazaar.

Following this, a series of loud explosions occurred from the firecrackers stored there. The explosion was so powerful that the factory building was completely destroyed and about six nearby houses were also damaged.

At least 11 people were killed, and five others were injured in the accident.

Following the accident, police and fire brigade teams from Pipri and nearby police stations reached the spot and began relief and rescue operations.

Police and administration teams are investigating the cause of the incident and collecting evidence from the scene.

Meanwhile, a case has been registered against six people, invoking serious charges including Explosives Act violations, officials said on Tuesday.

Two accused, Shabnam and Saina, were arrested and taken into custody for questioning. The FIR has been registered under sections 105/288 BNS and 4/5/9B of the Explosives Act against the accused.

Action was also taken against the Pipri SHO and beat constables Jitendra Kumar and Krishna Kumar for their "gross negligence in discharging their official duties and for not registering information related to the operation of the firecracker factory" and "not registering information related to the operation" of the facility.

(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by Education Post)