SIALKOT, 20 March 2022, TON: Huge series of explosions were witnessed on Sunday morning at Pakistan Army Ammunition Depot in Bhalan Wala, Sialkot. It is claimed that the ammunition depot was established in the year 1852 by the British Army. As per the earlier reports, “An unidentified object struck a Pakistan Army ammunition store in Sialkot which resulted in massive fire, triggering multiple explosions. Other source did not confirm about the flying object. The eye witnesses claimed the missiles caused civilian casualty as well as loss of properties. The district administration, however, was tight lipped about the loss of life. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued a statement post explosion, “On Sunday afternoon due to short-circuiting, an accidental fire broke out in an ammunition shed near Sialkot Garrison." The statement said, “There was no damage to property or loss of life due to effective and timely response. The damages were contained and the fire extinguished.” A Court of Inquiry has been ordered. 

According to an official of Rescue 1122, “Large fire and explosions rocked the Army depot near the cantonment area around 5:50 am. Fire brigade and Rescue 1122 reached the spot and extinguished the fire after several hours of efforts”.

Meanwhile, the personnel who made contact at ammunition storage site said, "Fire broke out due to short-circuiting and apparently an accidental fire broke out in one of the sheds near Sialkot Garrison." Sialkot District Police Officer (DPO) Umer Saeed Malik also said that the fire erupted early morning in the cantonment area after which several blasts happened. Although, the authorities did not discuss chances of missile attack or sabotage attempt by India but same cannot be ruled out. Satellite imageries is likely to highlight the causes of incident.