The powerful explosion in the Bisati Bazaar area of Kanpur has been traced back to illegal firecrackers, with no evidence of any terror-related activity, police confirmed on Thursday.
Addressing a press conference, Kanpur Police Commissioner Raghuwir Lal said that the blast on Wednesday evening was purely a result of illegal stocking of firecrackers and not linked to any terrorist group or activity.
He emphasised that initial fears connecting the incident to organised terrorism or groups like “Khalistan Zindabad Force” were completely baseless and misleading.
Contrary to initial reports suggesting the blast originated from a scooty parked near the site, the CCTV footage revealed that the explosion occurred in a cardboard box placed outside a shop, which was reportedly being used to sell firecrackers illegally.
Following the blast, which left eight people injured, a large-scale search and seizure operation was launched by the police. Firecrackers were found hidden in several shops, and a warehouse located approximately 25 meters from the blast site was discovered to be housing a large quantity of explosive materials.
During the overnight operation, 12 individuals were arrested, and several shops were searched extensively. Police broke open the locks of shuttered shops, uncovering hidden stashes of fireworks stored unsafely.
Of the eight injured, four were referred to Lucknow in serious condition, while two are receiving treatment in Kanpur. Two others were discharged after first aid.
The impact of the explosion damaged several surrounding shops. According to eyewitnesses, the blast caused false ceilings to collapse, cracks in six shop walls, and chaos in the busy market. “We were inside our shop when the explosion happened. Everyone rushed out in panic,” said one Mohammad Owais, a shopkeeper.
In the wake of the incident and findings of negligence, six police officers have been suspended, including the Station House Officer (SHO) of Moolganj, a chowki in-charge, and several constables. Kotwali ACP Ashutosh Kumar has been removed from his position.
Due to the nature of the explosion, the UP DGP Office, Home Department, ATS (Anti-Terrorism Squad), and Military Intelligence teams were alerted and promptly dispatched to the scene. After investigation, forensic teams confirmed that no high explosives were used—the materials involved were classified as low-grade firecrackers.
Police now believe that Bisati Bazaar had turned into a hub for illegal firecracker trade, especially ahead of Diwali. “This is a clear example of the risks posed by illegal stocking and sale of firecrackers,” the police commissioner said, adding that strict legal action will be taken against those found violating the law.
Two scooties were also recovered from the site. One belonged to an injured person who had been referred to a Lucknow hospital, while the other was found to be stolen property.