Jaipur, April 26 -- Investigators involved in the probe into the recent fire at the Pachpadra refinery in Balotra said on Saturday that they were probing the possibility of a cybersecurity hack that led to the incident. According to a senior official, security agencies were scrutinising digital logs and operational data to detect whether the refinery's automated control systems were remotely breached when the fire broke out. "Security has been significantly enhanced around the refinery campus, and strict access control measures have been put in place as a precaution," said another official. "Verification of all residents and workers in the nearby areas is underway to ensure there is no security breach or suspicious activity linked to the incident," he added. The refinery, operated by HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Limited (HRRL), is among the country's most modern oil processing facilities. The incident occurred hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to inaugurate the project. Meanwhile, work to dismantle these structures has been halted as investigators collect forensic evidence from the site. Officials believe the area could provide crucial clues to determine whether the fire was caused by a technical fault or a deliberate act of sabotage. Authorities are considering removing shops and commercial establishments within a one-kilometre radius, citing concerns over crowd density and vulnerability. Investigation agencies are now questioning contractor firms, site engineers, and refinery management to establish the exact cause of the incident, said officials. The deputy general manager of Pachpadra refinery, Sudipto did not respond to HT's requests for comment. Meanwhile, the Balotra SP, Ramesh Kumar refused to comment on the development till the investigation is over. The incident occurred around 2 PM on April 20, when smoke was first noticed rising from two processing units. Employees activated in-house fire safety systems, and fire brigade teams brought the blaze under control after nearly two to three hours, although flames intermittently persisted during the operation. The blaze reportedly originated in the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU), a key component where crude oil is processed. Initial assessments point to a possible technical malfunction or leakage. The Pachpadra refinery, built at an estimated cost of Rs.79,459 crore, is a strategically significant project aimed at boosting India's refining and petrochemical capacity....