A catastrophic explosion rocked Pagla Bhari village in Ayodhya’s Pura Kalandar area on Thursday evening, reducing a house to rubble and claiming the lives of five people while leaving several others potentially trapped beneath the debris. The devastating incident, which occurred at the residence of local resident Pappu Gupta, has triggered an urgent response from authorities, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath personally directing senior officials to expedite rescue efforts and provide immediate assistance to the affected.

Ayodhya Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gaurav Grover reported that the blast scattered kitchen utensils and household items across the area, painting a chaotic scene as police and rescue teams descended on the site. “We are collecting evidence from the spot,” Grover stated, noting that search operations have expanded to nearby villages and open fields, with teams scouring standing crops for clues or survivors. The intensity of the explosion prompted authorities to cordon off the site and evacuate residents from adjacent homes to ensure safety.

District Magistrate Nikhil Tikaram Funde confirmed the death toll at five but withheld details on the cause of the blast, pending a thorough investigation by a forensic team now combing through the wreckage. “The identities of the deceased have not yet been established, and we have no confirmed information about the injured at this time,” Funde said. Circle Officer Shailendra Singh added that many are feared still trapped under the collapsed structure, with rescue operations working against the clock to save lives.

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The cause of the explosion remains a mystery, with officials tight-lipped as they await forensic analysis. Speculation swirls in the village, located in the culturally significant city of Ayodhya, known for its religious heritage and recent infrastructural developments. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with residents reeling from the sudden loss and destruction in a place typically associated with pilgrimage and peace.

Chief Minister Adityanath’s swift intervention underscores the gravity of the situation, as teams from the police, fire department, and disaster response units work tirelessly to clear debris and uncover the truth behind the tragedy. As investigations continue and families await news of their loved ones, Ayodhya grapples with a somber moment that has turned a quiet village into the epicenter of a grim mystery.

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