Bidar Superintendent of Police Pradeep Gunti inspects the blast site at Molkera village in Humnabad taluk of Bidar district on Saturday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Six persons, including four children, were injured, two of them critically, after an explosion at Molkera village in Humnabad taluk of Bidar district on Saturday morning, triggering panic among residents.
The injured were identified as Jabbar Razak, 60, Anwar Zameer Sab, 19, and four children, Buseera Allauddin, 4, Aareez Razak Sab, 4, Arzan Razak, 7, and Mastan Musa, 8. While the four children were undergoing treatment at BRIMS Hospital in Bidar city and are said to be recovering and Anwar and Hyabar sustained serious injuries, Jabbar sustained serious injuries. Solapur respectively for further treatment.
According to eyewitnesses, the blast occurred between 8:30 am and 9:00 am near a house in the village, close to the Hyderabad-Mumbai National Highway. Villagers said the loud explosion sent debris, including plastic and other debris, into the air. Several people were found bleeding and injured when local residents rushed to the scene, after which ambulances were called.
Police teams along with bomb disposal squad, sniffer dog unit and forensic laboratory officials visited the site and collected samples for examination.
Kalaburagi Inspector General of Police Shantanu Sinha and Bidar Inspector General of Police (SP) Pradeep Gunti inspected the spot and took stock of the situation.
Mr. Gunti said preliminary investigations indicated that paint and other chemicals that were stored in the barrel may have caused the explosion. “At this stage, it appears to be an accidental explosion involving chemicals. The exact cause will be confirmed after a detailed investigation and forensic analysis,” he said.
However, villagers expressed doubts about the explanation and claimed that the explosion was similar to previous incidents reported in the area. They claimed that this was the sixth such blast in recent times and pointed out that a boy lost his leg in a similar incident a few days ago.
Forest Minister and in-charge of Bidar Eshwar Khandre expressed shock over the incident and ordered a detailed investigation.
Mr. Khandre directed the officials to provide immediate and appropriate medical care to the injured and announced that all medical expenses would be borne by the district administration.
The minister ordered that explosives experts be dispatched to the site immediately and warned of strict legal action against those found responsible.
Police said further investigations are underway to determine the nature of the object and the circumstances that led to the explosion.
Published – 31 Jan 2026 19:46 IST
