25 rockets found in imported scrap at Indian steel factory: report

Associated Press: An arsenal of rockets and three launchers were discovered in a shipment of imported scrap metal at an Indian steel factory, a news report said Friday, one day after a mysterious blast at the plant left 10 workers dead.
Initial reports said the explosion was caused by a burst boiler, but the Press Trust of India on Friday quoted police as saying it was triggered by rockets buried in the scrap. Associated Press

NEW DELHI – An arsenal of rockets and three launchers were discovered in a shipment of imported scrap metal at an Indian steel factory, a news report said Friday, one day after a mysterious blast at the plant left 10 workers dead.

Initial reports said the explosion was caused by a burst boiler, but the Press Trust of India on Friday quoted police as saying it was triggered by rockets buried in the scrap.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Chandrika Rai said the rockets detonated when the scrap was being unloaded from a truck. Fifteen people were also injured.

After the explosion, police found 25 rockets and three rocket launchers amid the scrap, PTI quoted Rai as saying.

The live rockets were defused by bomb disposal experts, she said.

Police offered no explanation why the munitions were in the scrap. Although police cited factory officials as saying it came from Iran, no Iranian markings were found on the rockets, they said.

Forensic experts have yet to reach the scene to study the material.