Uttarakhand: 20kg explosives found near school in Almora
What's the story
A major security scare has gripped Uttarakhand after police recovered 161 gelatin sticks, weighing over 20kg, near a school in Almora, PTI reported. The explosives were found hidden in bushes close to the Government Higher Secondary School in Dabara village's Sult area. The discovery comes on the heels of a recent incident where nearly 3,000kg of explosives were seized in Haryana as part of an investigation into the Delhi blast.
Investigation underway
Principal's alert leads to bomb squad intervention
The alarming discovery was made by Subhash Singh, the principal of the school, who noticed suspicious packets and promptly informed local authorities. Two police teams quickly cordoned off the area and called in bomb disposal squads and dog units from Udham Singh Nagar and Nainital districts. Canine teams scoured the school campus and nearby fields, finding several packets of gelatin sticks hidden up to 20 feet away from their original location.
Official statement
Almora SSP confirms discovery, investigation ongoing
Almora Senior Superintendent of Police Devendra Pincha confirmed the recovery of the explosives and said that an investigation is underway. "Around 161 gelatin sticks were found near the school," SSP Pincha said. He added that gelatin sticks are typically used for road construction and rock blasting, but their presence near a school raises serious concerns.
Legal action
Case registered under Explosive Substances Act
A case has been registered against unidentified persons under Section 4(a) of the Explosive Substances Act, 1908 and Section 288 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS). Four specialized police teams have been formed to trace the source, route, and intended use of these gelatin sticks. The seized packets have been safely sealed and secured for further investigation.
Security measures
Discovery heightens security concerns amid recent terror alerts
The discovery has raised alarm bells within security agencies, especially after recent large-scale explosive recoveries. Sources suggest that some terror modules may have been planning coordinated serial blasts across major cities, leading to intensified searches in multiple states. With tensions already high after the Delhi Red Fort blast, authorities are treating this seizure as a possible breakthrough in uncovering a larger network of illicit explosives distribution.