SUKKUR: Five persons lost their lives today when a large cache of explosive material detonated at a cement factory here, police said.
The explosives went off while officials were trying to deactivate it, killing three policemen, a Rangers official and a factory worker on the spot.
Six others were injured in the blast.
“The security officials were trying to deactivate around 2,000 kilogrammes of explosive material at a cement factory in Rohri when it accidentally ignited,” said SSP Sukkur Amjad Shaikh.
The explosives were to be used in the breaking down of large stones, which as part of the cement-making process, he added.
The SSP further said that the Bomb Disposal Squad was called to deactivate these explosives to prevent the misuse during Muharram.