Almora, Uttarakhand – Police discovered 161 gelatin sticks hidden near a government school in Almora district on November 21 . Authorities quickly secured the area. Initial police assessments rule out terrorist involvement. Investigators suspect a road contractor left the explosives behind.
The incident occurred near the Government Higher Secondary School, Dabhra, in the Salt area. Subhash Singh, the school’s acting principal, first spotted suspicious packages in bushes near the campus. He immediately alerted local police.
Discovery and Response
Upon receiving the report, police units arrived swiftly at the scene. Officers immediately cordoned off the entire area to ensure public safety. This action prevented unauthorized access and protected potential evidence.
Subsequently, specialized teams were called in. Bomb squads and dog squads from Udham Singh Nagar and Nainital districts deployed to the location. These teams assisted in conducting a thorough search of the area surrounding the school. Their expertise ensured no other hidden threats remained undetected.
Explosives Recovered
Authorities recovered 161 cylindrical gelatin sticks in total. The initial discovery involved a few packets located near the school building. Further search efforts revealed several more packets approximately 15 to 20 feet away from the first site. All recovered materials were carefully collected.
The bomb squad transported all packets to a secure, designated location. They then sealed the explosives for further examination and disposal. Police documented the entire operation through video recording. Evidence was collected methodically for the ongoing investigation.
Investigation Underway
Almora Senior Superintendent of Police Devendra Pincha confirmed the preliminary findings. He stated that current investigations indicate no links to terrorism. Pincha emphasized that the explosives likely belonged to a contractor involved in road construction. “The road was constructed at this location a few years ago,” Pincha stated, “and the contractor may have left the gelatin sticks in the bushes.”
Gelatin sticks are commonly used in construction for breaking stones and rock formations. Contractors frequently employ them in projects like road building in hilly terrains. This usage aligns with the police’s primary theory regarding the explosives’ origin.
Police have registered a case against unknown individuals. The charges fall under Section 4(a) of the Explosive Substances Act, 1908 , and Section 288 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita . Officers are conducting extensive inquiries with contractors and laborers who have worked in the area. This includes those involved in past road construction projects.
Next Steps
Superintendent Pincha clarified that investigations are ongoing. A final conclusion will be reached only after a thorough and complete inquiry. Police continue to gather information and interview potential witnesses. The priority remains ensuring community safety and preventing future such incidents.