Jammu Blast: Explosion in Jammu’s Bajalta injures cop, Third blast in 24 hours

The third blast was reported in Jammu within 24 hours on the night of January 21, 2023. A police constable was injured in Jammu’s Bajalta when a urea tank of the dumper exploded.

The Blast took place post-midnight in Jammu Bajalta Morh in Sidhra tolling it the third blast in a day. A total of ten people, including a cop, have been injured in the three blasts.

A police constable identified as Surinder Singh was on night duty at Sidhra Chowk (near Nescafe complex) and he stopped a dumper truck carrying sand for checking.

When the truck stopped, the urea tank (a special tank to clean pollutants from the engine) of the dumper truck exploded and caused minor burn injuries to the police personnel. A police constable was admitted to a government medical college and his condition is currently stable.

An investigation team revealed that it was not an accident and registered an FIR under relevant sections of the Explosives Act at Nagrota police station. Police also changed the classification of a blast as a blast carried out by unknown persons.

The Police official said that one of their personnel was injured in a blast underneath a dumper at Bajalta on the Narwal-Sidhra bypass. He further added that the cause of the explosion is being investigated. Police have not ruled out the terror angle and the blast is being probed.

On January 21, twin blasts were reported in a busy locality of Jammu’s Narwal leading to nine people sustaining injuries.

Two high-intensity blasts took place consequently within 30 minutes. The first blast was reported around 11 am followed by the second blast after half an hour.

The area was cordoned off following the blasts and security was deployed by the police forces and Army officials. People suspect the use of IEDs in carrying out the blast. Police also suspect that IEDs were used in carrying out explosions in a Bolero car parked in a repair shop and in a vehicle at a nearby junkyard in the Transport Nagar area of Narwal.

Special teams of the State Investigation Agency and the Army also inspected the scene of the twin blasts. A thorough sanitisation operation was carried out and forensic experts, a bomb disposal squad and sniffer dogs were also pressed into service to look for clues

Additional Director General of Police, Mukesh Singh said, “A blast occurred in an old, parked Bolero (Sports Utility Vehicle) around 11 am resulting in injuries to five people who were standing nearby. They were evacuated to the hospital and their condition is stable.”

The explosions increased the tension as security agencies were high on alert for the upcoming Republic Day celebrations. Following the incident, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha condemned the twin blasts in Narwal and directed agencies to take steps to identify and take action against those responsible.

Lieutenant Governor Sinha said, “Such dastardly acts highlight the desperation and cowardice of those responsible. Take immediate and firm action. No efforts should be spared to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

Lt Governor has also announced a compensation of Rs 50,000 for those injured in the incident.