Army flagged unstable ammo from factory before fatal blast

NEW DELHI/NAGPUR: At least six people were killed and 18 injured in a massive explosion at Pulgaon-based Central Ammunition Depot in Maharashtra’s Wardha district, around 110km from Nagpur, on Tuesday morning when they were disposing of unused ammunition made at the Khamaria Ordnance Factory Board (OFB).

The factory is infamous in Indian defence circles for producing substandard ammunition and effectively forcing the military to stop using one of its main anti-aircraft guns, the L/70.

The explosion took place when employees and contract workers from the Khamaria Ordnance Factory were destroying unused 23mm anti-aircraft ammunition rounds.

The operation was taking place under the technical supervision of the depot staff, said BB Pande, the defence public relations officer.

“Today morning at 7.10am, while carrying out the demolition of old explosives by the staff of ordnance factory, Khamaria, in Jabalpur, there was an accident. The demolition was being carried out in the demolition land under the jurisdiction of central arms depot, Pulgaon,” said Pande.

“Officials of ordnance factory Khamaria, Jabalpur and of ordnance factory Chandrapur rushed to the spot,” he added. Wardha: Officials inspect the blast site.

Tuesday’s explosion took place at Pulgaon-based Central Ammunition Depot. Six people died, 18 were injured

As recently as last year, the then vice chief of Army Staff said L/70 guns use was suspended due to increased frequency of ammunition accidents. These ammunition were made at Khameria

In

addition to the L/70, one of India’s main anti-aircraft guns, problems from Khameria ammo has restricted use of the Zu-23, a Russia-made towed anti-aircraft gun