A buffalo breeder had a close shave in a mild explosion at a garbage dump on Hathoa Road in Malerkotla, said the police.
However, one of his buffaloes was injured in the incident and succumbed following a limb amputation, they added.
According to information, a packet of explosive buried under a heap of garbage went off on Friday while Amir Hamz was grazing his cattle on the spot.
After preliminary investigation, the police have ruled out “sabotage”.
“We have recovered a plastic envelope that flew from the heap. It seems to contain the explosive and prima facie, it looks like someone dumped it erroneously,” said Malerkotla Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gurmit Singh, adding the envelope was seized for forensic examination.
Police suspect the explosive to a potash mixture and its exact nature and quantity will only be clear after forensic examination.
The SSP said a team of forensic experts had been deployed to examine the spot and the police personnel were asked to keep in view the security of important persons as the road is frequently used by leaders and government officials.
Malerkotla House, the residence of former Director General of Punjab Police (DGP) Mohammad Mustafa, is also situated on Hathoa Road.
