January 11, 2002

'33'

ENQUIRY ORDERED INTO THE BIKANER AMMUNITION FIRE INCIDENT

    The Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes has ordered a comprehensive enquiry into the cause of fire in the ammunition being carried in a convoy of trucks from Bhatinda to Bikaner. The Minister is visiting Bikaner tomorrow for an on the spot inspection and discussion with the local officials.

    The fire occurred in one of the trucks in a convoy of over two hundred trucks. According to the information received, the trucks were parked in the Army parade ground near Bikaner city. The blast occurred around 1530 hrs today. Over 50 trucks were affected in the chain reaction of the fire in one of the trucks. About 150 trucks were taken to safety. The cause of the fire is not immediately known.