Nashik: A routine preparedness drill turned hazardous when two stun grenades exploded within seconds, leaving four police personnel from Ahilyanagar injured at the district police headquarters on Monday morning.
Incident Details
The incident took place around 9:30 am during an exercise involving nearly 50 personnel from the Quick Response Team (QRT) and Riot Control Police, conducted ahead of Eid-al-Adha on May 27. Two policemen sustained hand injuries and were admitted to a private hospital, while two others suffered minor injuries.
Official Response
Superintendent of Police Mummaka Sudarshan stated, “An inquiry will be initiated into the case. In the event of any negligence, necessary action will be taken against the people responsible.” He added, “According to primary information, the personnel involved failed to follow necessary precautions while unpinning the stun grenades.”
Sequence of Events
According to police, during the exercise, one participant removed the safety pin of a stun grenade but inadvertently released its lever, causing an immediate blast. Startled by the explosion, another officer dropped a second, already-unpinned grenade, leading to a second detonation and brief chaos at the site. Officials explained that even after removing the safety pin, the lever must remain firmly pressed and released only at the moment of throwing, as the device explodes within four to five seconds once released.
Injuries Sustained
Among the injured, Shubham Kavare and Yogesh Solunke sustained cuts between their fingers and are likely to require stitches. Their wounds are expected to heal within three to four days. Shivraj Pawra suffered a minor facial injury due to flying debris, while Ganesh Madhe escaped with minor scratches.
Purpose of Stun Grenades
Reiterating the purpose of the devices, Sudarshan said, “Their sole objective is to create a thundering sound to disperse crowds.” The police added that the drill is a routine exercise being carried out across the district.
