Prime Suspect Nabbed in Deadly Pathar Pratima Explosion

Authorities apprehended the main suspect linked to a devastating explosion that claimed eight lives in Pathar Pratima, located in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district, a senior police official confirmed on Wednesday. The arrest marks a significant breakthrough in the investigation into the late Monday night tragedy.

The suspect, Chandrakanta Banik, owns a firecracker manufacturing facility situated just meters from the residence where the blast occurred. “We have detained Chandrakanta Banik, the prime accused in the explosion case,” stated Koteswara Rao, SP of Sunderban Police District. Banik underwent overnight questioning before his formal arrest early Wednesday.

This is the first arrest tied to the incident, though police are still searching for Banik’s brother, who remains at large. A separate officer revealed that forensic teams are investigating whether raw materials used in firecracker production were stored inside the house where the explosion took place.

ALSO READ : Deadly Gas Cylinder Explosion Claims Seven Lives, Including Four Children, in West Bengal

The blast, triggered by a gas cylinder detonation, killed eight family members, including four children, inside the residential property in Pathar Pratima.