Garbage fire sparks panic amid drone attack rumours in Basti Danishmanda

Panic struck Basti Danishmanda on Saturday morning after a fire in a vacant plot was mistakenly believed to be caused by a drone attack. The confusion led to a crowd gathering at the site, prompting an immediate response from local authorities.

A video circulating on social media falsely claimed that a drone had struck near the residential area, further fueling the panic. However, upon investigation, police determined that the fire had been ignited in a heap of garbage on the empty plot.

ACP North, Aatish Bhatiya, who led the police team to the scene, confirmed that there was no evidence of any drone attack. “The news was completely false. It was just a garbage fire. We urge the public not to spread unverified information that causes unnecessary panic,” he stated.

The police have issued a warning to residents, urging them not to circulate rumours or post unverified content online. Authorities stressed the importance of staying clear of sites with unknown debris or suspected hazardous materials, as they could still pose a danger.

Officials reminded the public to stay calm and rely only on official updates, urging everyone to follow the safety advisories issued by the District Commissioner and Commissionerate Police.

Jalandhar