DNA confirms identity of 2 killed in Bhiwani bus fire, cause unknown

Bhiwani: Two men who died after a private bus caught fire near Milkpur village on the Bhiwani–Hansi road late Monday evening have been identified through DNA testing, police said on Thursday, even as the cause of the blaze remains unclear.The deceased were identified as Sunil, a resident of Barsi village in Hansi and an employee with the police intelligence department, and Baljeet, a resident of Seva Nagar in Bhiwani, who worked at a private company in Hisar. Their bodies were charred beyond recognition, necessitating DNA-based identification.Family members had approached police on Tuesday after both men went missing on Monday evening. Preliminary inputs from villagers and children present near the spot suggested that lightning may have triggered the fire, though officials said the claim is yet to be verified.Sunil's family said he used to commute daily to Milkpur by government bus and would return home in his car parked there. His mobile phone was found switched off after 7.28 pm on Monday.Baljeet's family said he was dropped near Bhiwani district jail by his nephew on Monday evening and was expected to travel to Hisar for work. Concern arose after he failed to report for duty on Tuesday morning.Police said the exact cause of the fire will be known only after the forensic report is received.