3 killed, 20 injured as crackers explode during ‘nagar kirtan’ in Tarn Taran

Gurbax Puri

Tarn Taran, February 8

Three devotees were killed while 20 others injured when bags of fire crackers kept in a tractor-trolley caught fire during in a Nagar Kirtan (religious procession) near Daleke village, 8 km from here today.

The injured were rushed to local civil hospital and different private hospitals.

The Nagar Kirtan was organised to mark the birth anniversary of Shaheed Baba Deep Singh. It was to depart for Gurdwara Tahla Sahib at Chabba when the incident took place.

According to information, during the Nagar Kirtan some devotees were bursting crackers when a spark fell on the bags filled with fire crackers kept in the trolley. It led to an explosion. The deceased have been identified as Manpreet Singh (18) of Pahuwind village, Gurpreet Singh (12) of same village, while the identity of the third deceased was yet to be ascertained.

SSP Dhruv Dahia, however, confirmed death of Manpreet and Gurpreet.

Deputy Commissioner Pardeep Kumar Sabharwal besides other officials visited the hospitals where the injured have been admitted. Bhai Guriqbal Singh of Amritsar was leading Nagar Kirtan.