Three Killed, Six Injured as Scrap Warehouse Blast

News Desk 

Islamabad:Three people, including children, were killed and six others injured on Sunday after an explosion triggered by an explosive device hidden in scrap material ripped through a warehouse in Tatta Pani, Kotli (AJK).

According to a private news channel, the blast occurred inside a scrap storage facility located on the Tatta Pani bypass road. Initial police investigations revealed that an explosive item mixed with the scrap was the cause of the deadly explosion.

Security forces and rescue teams reached the site immediately and shifted the bodies and injured to a nearby hospital. An emergency was declared as several of the wounded were reported to be in critical condition, raising fears of a possible increase in the death toll.

Police have launched an investigation to determine how the explosive material ended up in the scrap. The deceased belonged to various areas, and local residents have begun arrangements to send the bodies to their hometowns for burial.

76 Afghan Nationals Detained

Rawalpindi Police on Sunday detained 76 Afghan nationals residing illegally during extensive search operations conducted across the district under the National Action Plan (NAP).

A police spokesperson said the crackdown was carried out on the directives of City Police Officer (CPO) Syed Khalid Hamdani in the jurisdictions of multiple police stations, including Kallar Syedan, Rawat, Gujar Khan, Chauntra, Dhamial, Kahuta, Jatli, Saddar Bairooni, Pirwadhai, Ratta Amral, Ganjmandi, City, Waris Khan, Banni, New Town, Sadiqabad, Wah Saddar, Naseerabad, Civil Lines, Morgah and Cantt.

During the operation, police verified the identities of 1,709 individuals, checked 1,375 houses, 412 shops, 28 hotels, and inspected several rented properties, along with four scrap yards and three bus and truck stands.

Action was taken against tenants and property owners who failed to register tenancy details, with 21 cases lodged under the relevant laws.

The spokesperson said the operations were aimed at maintaining public order, curbing criminal activity, and ensuring full enforcement of the law. He added that police would continue utilising all available resources to uphold peace and security in the district.