New Delhi : A 10-year-old boy died after a firecracker exploded in his hand while he was bursting it outside his house in Delhi’s Narela area, police said. The incident took place on Sunday night, November 8, during Diwali celebrations leaving the child with fatal injuries. According to Delhi Police, the child was bursting a flower-pot firecracker, commonly known as an ‘Anar’, in front of his house at around 9:45 p.m. when it suddenly exploded, causing injuries to his chest. In an official statement, police said, “On 08/11/2026 at about 09:45 p.m., a child was bursting a hand-held flower-pot firecracker (Anar) in front of his house in Narela area. The firecracker burst, causing injury to his chest. The child died on the spot.”

Police further said that information was received from the hospital at approximately 10:50 p.m. that the child had been brought dead with burn injuries caused by the firecracker. The child’s body has been sent for post-mortem examination, while further legal proceedings are underway. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and examining the details of the firecracker explosion. The tragic incident has once again brought attention to the risks associated with firecrackers, particularly for children, and the importance of exercising caution while handling such explosive items. Meanwhile, several fire incidents were reported in different parts of the national Capital, including Uttam Nagar and Malviya Nagar, prompting the deployment of multiple fire tenders. No casualties or injuries were reported in either of these incidents.

In one of the major incidents, a massive fire broke out at a hardware and paint store on Main Najafgarh Road in Uttam Nagar late Saturday evening. The blaze reportedly spread from the ground floor to the upper floors of a three-storey building, raising concerns about the possibility of the fire spreading further. Around five fire tenders were rushed to the location to contain the flames. Firefighters worked to bring the situation under control. In another incident, a fire broke out in the basement of a building in the Khidki area of Malviya Nagar. Following the incident, eight fire tenders were deployed to the spot to tackle the blaze.

Katni : At least 12 members of two families, including a two-month-old infant, children and elderly persons, were killed in two separate fire incidents in Madhya Pradesh’s Katni and Seoni districts on Diwali night, turning the festival of lights into a night of mourning for their families and neighbours. In the first incident, six members of an Agrawal family were killed after a massive fire broke out in a three-storey building housing a crockery shop on the ground floor in Barhi town of Katni district around midnight. The fire spread rapidly from the shop to the upper floors, where the family members were sleeping. Thick smoke and flames trapped them inside, leaving little opportunity to escape.

The deceased were identified as Puran Agrawal (77), his wife Chandrakala (74), daughter-in-law Poonam (35), Arya (14), Anvi (6) and a two-month-old infant. Two other family members managed to escape in the initial moments. Rescue operations continued throughout the night. Puran Agrawal was pulled out around 4.30 a.m., while the remaining five bodies were recovered around 6.30 a.m. after rescuers broke a wall with the help of a JCB machine. “The cause of the fire is not known at this stage. It is suspected that it could have been triggered by a diya or a short circuit, but the exact reason will be established only after an investigation,” Sub-Divisional Officer of Police Virendra Narve said. Local residents alleged lapses in the firefighting response, claiming that the fire tender from Barhi reached with a damaged pipe, while the vehicle from Vijayraghavgarh also reportedly had a faulty pipe.

Fire tenders from Kaimore and Katni Municipal Corporation later joined the operation and brought the blaze under control. In the second incident, six members of a family were killed when a fire broke out at the residence of bullion trader Kundan Soni in Mahavir Ward of Chhapara town in Seoni district around 3 a.m.The deceased were identified as Kundan Lal Soni (75), Rajkumari Soni (65), Ritu Soni (42), Smriti Soni (40), Surya Soni (45) and Aditya Soni (16). Four other family members, including two minors, were rescued and admitted to hospital. Ten people were present in the house when the fire broke out. SDOP Lakhnadon Apoorva Bhalavi said the family members were asleep when the blaze erupted, leaving them with little chance to escape. The causes of both fires are yet to be ascertained, and police are investigating the incidents. The twin tragedies have raised concerns over fire safety arrangements and emergency response during festivals.

Jaipur : In a major breakthrough in Rajasthan Police’s ongoing crackdown on organised crime and criminal gangs, notorious gangster Harichand Jat alias ‘Hari Boxer’, an active member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and a wanted fugitive, has been detained in the United States. The operation was carried out under the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Rajiv Kumar Sharma as part of the state police’s sustained campaign against organised criminal networks. The Rajasthan Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), working under the guidance of Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Dinesh M.N., played a key role in securing the detention. A special team operating under the supervision of Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) Deputy Inspector General of Police and Interpol Liaison Officer Yogesh Yadav gathered crucial intelligence and coordinated efforts to trace the fugitive.

As part of the international operation, Rajasthan Police facilitated the issuance of a Red Corner Notice against Hari Boxer. It also sent 14 separate references to Interpol across five countries to track his whereabouts and secure action against him. To strengthen the case for his detention, the police submitted a provisional arrest request, an updated and comprehensive dossier containing details of the accused, and his fingerprints to the concerned authorities. Hari Boxer has deep roots in Rajasthan. His birth, upbringing and early journey into the world of crime are all closely linked to the state. His real name is Harichand Jat, and he originally hails from the Bansur area of Rajasthan’s Kotputli-Behror district. His father Girdhari Jat is an ordinary farmer from the region.

Before entering the world of crime, Harichand reportedly led an ordinary life in his village and aspired to serve the country or the state. A look into Hari Boxer’s background reveals that Harichand Jat initially aspired to join the Indian Army or Rajasthan Police. While preparing for competitive examinations, he moved to Jaipur, the state capital. During his stay in Jaipur, he underwent professional boxing training and later started coaching young people in the sport. His association with the boxing ring in Jaipur and his subsequent work as a boxing coach earned him the nickname ‘Hari Boxer’. The name gradually became popular among his friends and on social media before gaining recognition in criminal circles as well. The process to bring Hari Boxer back to India is now underway. His detention marks a significant achievement for Rajasthan Police in its efforts to dismantle organised criminal networks and pursue gangsters operating beyond India’s borders.