Police in Uttar Pradesh's Kaushambi district have achieved a major breakthrough in the investigation of the August 31 firecracker factory blast by arresting absconding accused Mohammad Adil following a gunfight. Acting on specific intelligence regarding the suspect's movement, law enforcement personnel laid a tactical trap near the Kamalpur Barethi canal bridge within the jurisdiction of the Pipri police station. Upon realizing that he was surrounded by the police, Adil opened fire at the police team in a desperate attempt to evade capture. In retaliatory firing conducted by the police in self-defense, Adil suffered gunshot wounds to both of his legs, enabling officers to overpower and apprehend him on the spot. The injured suspect was immediately transported under police guard to the district hospital for medical treatment.
Encirclement at Canal Bridge and Details of the Shootout
Following the fatal explosion at the firecracker unit in Kaushambi on August 31, Mohammad Adil had gone into hiding and was evading law enforcement agencies. To track down the fugitive, Superintendent of Police (SP) Satyanarayan Prajapat directed the formation of four dedicated police teams that conducted raid operations across multiple suspected locations. Law enforcement received actionable intelligence indicating that Adil was traveling on a motorcycle near the Kamalpur Barethi canal bridge. Acting swiftly on the lead, police forces established a blockade around the designated route. When the suspect approached the checkpoint, officers ordered him to surrender. Instead of complying, Adil opened fire on the police party to break through the cordon. Police fired back in self-defense, hitting Adil in both legs and neutralizing his movement. Taking advantage of the surrounding darkness, the unidentified youth driving the motorcycle managed to slip away from the scene. Police search operations are currently underway to locate and capture the escaped driver.
Prior Arrest of Mastermind Father Naushad and Co-Accused
The crackdown on those responsible for the Kaushambi firecracker explosion has seen a series of law enforcement operations. Mohammad Adil's father, Naushad, who has been identified as the main accused and mastermind behind the operation of the illegal facility, was previously arrested following a separate police encounter. In addition to Naushad, police have taken two women, Shabana and Shaina, into custody for their alleged involvement in the illegal enterprise. Following the tragedy on August 31, local administrative authorities alongside district police initiated severe punitive measures against illegal fireworks operators linked to the family. Multiple fireworks manufacturing units and storage facilities operated by Adil and his associates have faced rigorous law enforcement inspections and administrative actions.
Bulldozer Demolitions and Investigation into the Broader Network
As part of the stern administrative action, authorities deployed bulldozers to demolish illegal structures, properties worth millions of rupees, and unauthorized explosive storage facilities connected to the syndicate. Administrative officials reiterated that no individual involved in the illegal stockpiling of explosive materials would be spared. At present, police personnel are interrogating the hospitalized suspect, Mohammad Adil, to uncover key details regarding the procurement of explosive powder and raw materials used at the site. The ongoing investigation aims to unravel the complete supply chain, map out the broader illegal network, and identify any external accomplices who assisted Adil while he was on the run.
