Historic WWII Bomb Discovered in Jamshedpur: Third Incident This Month
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Panic struck the Panipat–Nagurdasai locality in Baharagora, East Singhbhum district of Jharkhand on April 16, as a significant live bomb from the Second World War was unearthed on the banks of the Subarnarekha River. This marks the third occurrence of wartime explosives discovered in this region in just a month.
Local inhabitants reported that the recent drop in the river's water level, attributed to escalating temperatures, has revealed these long-buried bombs hidden in the sandy terrain.
On Wednesday night, villagers from Nagurdasai ventured to the riverbank for fishing when they noticed a large, metallic object protruding from the sand. Upon closer examination, they identified it as a bomb, igniting fear among the community.
The Baharagora police responded swiftly to the villagers’ alert, securing the vicinity and imposing a complete ban on public access to ensure safety.
Despite its age, experts caution that the bomb might still be capable of detonation, posing a significant risk of an accident.
Earlier, on March 17, two powerful bombs were discovered in the same vicinity, confirmed by military personnel to be of American origin. Disarming the nearly 227-kilogram bomb required extensive efforts from Army specialists, transforming the area into a high-security zone and evacuating a radius of around 1.5 kilometers. The bomb was ultimately neutralized via a controlled detonation using sandbag barriers.
The continuous discovery of these explosives indicates the possibility of more bombs lying buried in the region. Residents near the Subarnarekha riverbank have urged local authorities and the state government to conduct a thorough scan of the area utilizing advanced technology.
Community members express that without comprehensive inspections, farming and riverbank activities remain perilous.
Experts highlight that this region was strategically significant during the Second World War, which likely accounts for the presence of multiple bombs from that era.
Currently, the police have notified senior officials and the Army's bomb disposal unit, with ongoing surveillance until experts arrive.