Man killed, four killed in artillery shell explosion

Nashik (Maha): A 21-year-man was killed and four others, including a child, were injured when an artillery shell exploded at a village in Maharashtra’s Nashik district, a police official said today.

The man, identified as Ajay Shirsath, spotted the artillery shell lying near a firing range located close to his home at Belgaon Kurhe village in Igatpuri taluka yesterday.

He took the shell and was trying to break its outer metal covering in the presence of other villagers when it exploded, killing him on the spot, the official said.

Four others, including a one-and-a half-year-old boy, received serious injuries in the incident and they were admitted to the Nashik Civil Hospital, he said.

A case of accidental death has been registered in connection with the incident, police said.