DADU: A powerful explosion inside the store of the Jamshoro police station caused partial collapse of the concrete structure and left four policemen injured on Wednesday.

A preliminary inquiry into the incident suggested that a grenade went off due to the prevailing extremely hot weather conditions in the province. The store, malkhana, is meant for keeping evidence/case material seized from suspects for production in courts on hearings.

The explosion occurred at 9:15am creating chaos at the police station. Bomb disposal squad of the Sindh police and Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel were called out immediately while the police personnel present at the station cordoned off the area.

Besides causing partial collapse of the roof and walls of the malkhana, the explosion and flying pieces of concrete destroyed six vehicles, including motorcycles and rickshaws.

Hyderabad DIG Tariq Razzak Dharejo and Jamshoro SSP Mohammad Tariq Nawaz also rushed to the police station and supervised the investigation process.

The DIG told the media that a hand grenade kept inside the malkhana went off due to intense heat. He confirmed that four policemen were injured in the incident.

Jamshoro SHO Ayaz Abro identified the injured policemen as ASIs Mohammad Bux Dawachh and Rasool Bakhsh Narejo; and constables Ghulam Mohiuddin and Irshad Gaincho.

He said that six vehicles including motorcycles and rickshaws parked close to the malkhana were destroyed.

The CTD and BDS officials initially sealed off the entire building of the police station to collect evidence. It was unsealed when the BDS officials gave ‘clearance’ after finding no more explosive material that could go off.

Hyderabad SSP Dr Farrukh Lanjar told Dawn that the injured policemen were first taken to the Aga Khan Hospital in Hyderabad and then referred to the Aga Khan Hospital in Karachi.

In a press statement issued by a spokesman for the Jamshoro district police, it was revealed that the hand grenade exploded due to the presence of sulfur in the Malkhana. However, it added, an investigation was under way to find out the actual cause of the blast.

It said that the CTD and BDS would submit their reports to the higher authorities soon.

Meanwhile, Sindh Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon has directed the Hyderabad DIG and Jamshoro SSP to also ensure facilitation of proper medical treatment to the injured policemen.

Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, while speaking to the media in Hyderabad along with Home Minister Zia Lanjar, said he was informed by the Hyderabad DIG that a grenade in the Malkhana went off due to heat and that four policemen were injured in the incident.

Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2024