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Army Neutralizes Suspected WWII Mortar Near Bolpur in Controlled Blast

First spotted by villagers last month, the find underscores recurring resurfacing of colonial‑era ordnance in West Bengal.

Overview

  • An Army bomb disposal team from Panagarh neutralized the device with a controlled detonation under Central forces supervision.
  • Shockwaves from the blast were felt in neighboring villages, with police reporting no casualties and local officials noting a crater and minor damage to farmland.
  • Villagers discovered the rusted, cylinder‑like object on the Ajay River sandbank on September 12 and alerted Bolpur police, who cordoned off and guarded the site.
  • Preliminary assessments indicated the object appeared to be a World War II‑era mortar, possibly linked to British‑era military activity.
  • The incident drew parallels to a similar ordnance recovery in Jhargram last year, highlighting ongoing risks from long‑buried munitions.