Law enforcement authorities in Purba Bardhaman district of West Bengal uncovered a massive cache of explosive materials from the cow shed of a local panchayat member on the festive day of Kali Puja. The sudden discovery has sent shockwaves through the entire region, creating an atmosphere of fear and anxiety among local residents. Police administration acted swiftly upon receiving the information, mobilizing specialized emergency response teams and bomb squads to secure the perimeter and handle the volatile situation.
Live bombs and cartridges hidden in plastic jars and baskets
According to official details, the incident took place in Shahjadpur village under the jurisdiction of Manteswar police station. Acting on a tip-off received on Sunday, the Manteswar police station team conducted a thorough search operation inside the cow shed belonging to Trinamool Congress panchayat member Abul Kasem Shaikh in the Bamunpara panchayat area. During the search, police found four live crude bombs concealed inside a plastic jar and three firearm cartridges placed separately in a basket. Finding military-grade or crude explosive items in a domestic livestock shelter has raised serious security alarms.
Bomb disposal squad neutralizes explosives by the river
Given the extreme danger posed by the recovered devices, a specialized bomb disposal squad was summoned directly from Durgapur to handle the situation. In addition, a fire department team from Bhatar and a medical response team from the Manteswar Block Primary Health Centre rushed to the scene as a precautionary measure. Under strict police supervision, all four live bombs were safely transported to the banks of the Khari river on the western edge of the village, where experts successfully neutralized them without any untoward incident.
Family members absconding as police expand search
Investigators are currently probing the precise motive behind storing these explosives inside the cow shed and identifying all individuals connected to the clandestine stash. Reports indicate that family members associated with Abdul Hamid Shaikh have fled their residence and remain untraceable. Police teams are conducting continuous raids to apprehend the absconding suspects, though no arrests have been officially recorded in connection with the case so far. Local villagers and administrative officials declined to issue any formal statements to media cameras regarding the sensitive situation.
History of security scares across West Bengal
This incident follows a series of similar security scares and explosive recoveries across various districts of West Bengal. Previously, ahead of the Rejinagar assembly bypoll in Murshidabad district, a massive explosion rocked the banks of a lake in the Nopukuria area under Beldanga police station limits, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky and terrifying locals. Other notable incidents, including bomb threats discovered inside flight lavatories at Kolkata airport and smoke detection incidents in metro coaches, have continuously tested the state's security apparatus.
