Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen) June 14: A havildar died when firecrackers, seized by police, detonated while being defused on the banks of the Kathajodi River in Cuttack on Friday.
The deceased havildar has been identified as Pradip Kumar Malick.
Sources indicate that Malick was a resident of Jagatpur Andeisahi in Cuttack. He had served 24 years in the Commissionerate Police and had recently joined the bomb squad team of the Reserve Police.
Malick died when the firecrackers exploded while he was attempting to defuse them near the Kathajodi embankment. He was rushed to SCB Medical College and Hospital in an ambulance, but he succumbed to his injuries. His body will be handed over to his family after a post-mortem examination, according to a police official.
Meanwhile, senior police officials and a scientific team have arrived at the accident site to investigate whether standard operating procedures (SOP) were followed.
“A scientific team has arrived to determine the cause of Malick’s death. An unnatural death case has also been registered. It was firecrackers, not a bomb, that exploded. A detailed investigation will be conducted,” stated Additional DCP Anil Mishra.
