17 Armymen Killed in Fire at India's Biggest Ammo Depot

At least two Army officers and 15 Defence Security Corps jawans have been killed after a fire broke out in the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday at the central ammunition depot in Pulgaon, near Nagpur in Maharashtra. A massive explosion rocked the depot soon after the fire broke out.

Lieutenant Colonel RS Pawar and Major K Manoj were among those dead in the fire at Army's largest ammunition depot in the country.

Army officials said that 19 others have been injured in the fire. Some of the injured have been admitted to Military Hospital Pulgaon while others have been sent to Civil Hospital in Wardha.

The fire broke out between 1:30 AM and 2 AM on Tuesday.

"At around 1:30 AM, I heard a loud noise. We came out. I went to the factory and saw flames," an eye-witness said.

Several fire engines were rushed to the deport and the blaze was brought under control. The Army maintains that secondary explosions are still occurring which is making it difficult for rescue workers to pull out bodies.

A court of inquiry has now been ordered into the accident. Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag will visit the depot to make first hand assessment of the situation and the on-going salvage operations.

As a precautionary measure, three villages have been evacuated.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar is likely to visit the depot to take stock of the situation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis have extended their condolences to victims' families.

"Many of our brave men have lost their lives. The fire has been brought under control. All possible help will be given. Medical help has been sought from us and we are extending our full cooperation," Fadnavis said.