May 21, 2008	Wednesday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 15, 1429

RAWALPINDI, May 20: A mighty explosion followed by fire suspected to be caused by a leak in gas pipeline at Hamza Camp sent a wave of panic in the city on Tuesday.

Within minutes of the explosion, which was heard miles away, police contingents and rescue services reached Hamza Camp, but nobody was allowed inside as they were stopped near the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

As rumours of a bomb blast gripped the city, the police officials were quick to dispel the impression.

“It was a fire incident caused by gas leak explosion which caused no damage,” a senior police official said.

But what continued to fuel the speculations was the security forces’ decision not to allow media teams to enter inside the facility and take pictures.

Some photographers were also deprived of their cameras by the security personnel, however, the equipment was later returned.

Local residents who had gathered outside the camp told Dawn that the blast occurred inside but it was not known what had caused the explosion.