An explosion at the ordnance factory near Ooty in the Nilgiris district killed at least one worker and injured many others. The cause of the blast on Thursday afternoon is yet to be ascertained,said the police. Preliminary reports put the death toll at six,though the defence establishment has so far confirmed only one death. Sources said the explosion happened in the Block II of the cordite factory that manufactures propellants for small arms,guns and artillery,and engine starters,apart from nitroglycerine and nitrocellulose for the Indian armed forces. Local police said the exact cause can be ascertained only by experts.
