The National Security Guard (NSG) has initiated further investigations into a blast at a restaurant in Shimla, which is suspected to have been caused by a gas leak. An NSG team visited the site on Mall Road, where one person was killed and 13 others were injured in the explosion that took place on July 18.

The explosion occurred at the Himachali Rasoi restaurant, known for its Himachali cuisines. The location is situated near the city’s fire brigade office and the Police Reporting Room, making it a sensitive site. The NSG, renowned for its expertise in such investigations, was enlisted to help establish the exact cause of the blast following standard government procedure, as per PTI reports.

Sanjay Kundu, the Director General of Police, reported that preliminary investigations and forensic examinations pointed towards a gas leak as the cause of the explosion. This claim was further corroborated by the statements from the injured, who identified a gas leak from two LPG cylinders as the potential trigger. Casualties were notably minimized due to the restaurant’s temporary closure for maintenance.

Shimla Superintendent of Police, Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi, added that there had been reports of a gas leak from locals near the eatery prior to the blast. Nonetheless, the high intensity of the explosion, which resulted in shattered windows of neighboring shops and homes, and was heard from miles away, has raised suspicion about other potential causes.

In response to the concerns, BJP media in-charge Karan Nanda, alongside other local shopkeepers, has called for an escalated investigation into the incident, expressing confidence in the NSG’s ability to uncover the truth behind the explosion.

  BJP, Himachal Pradesh, India, Karan Nanda, National Security Guard, Shimla