Rail traffic hit as mortar shells found near tracks

Nitish Sharma

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Tribune News Service

Kurukshetra, July 22

The discovery of nine 51mm mortar shells along the railway tracks between Dhola Majra and Shahabad stations triggered panic in the area, forcing the delay of at least 11 trains this morning.

The Delhi-Ambala section remained shut for nearly two hours after the local police and civil and defence officials arrived at the scene soon after the sighting and scoured the area. Seven bombs were initially recovered — six inside a plastic casing and another lying loose.

After a combing operation, involving the police and civil administration, Government Railway Police, Railway Protection Force, Military Police, military ordnance, bomb and dog squads, the casing of the loose bomb and two more shells along with box were recovered near the tracks.

Officials said while a box normally contained 10 shells, only nine were recovered from the scene. Search was on to find the remaining bomb and the lid of the box. Kurukshetra Superintendent of Police Simardeep Singh said: “The combing operation was on to find the last bomb.”

Inspector General of Police (Railways) Paramjit Singh Ahlawat said: “We are in touch with Army authorities. These mortar rounds are supplied to the Army and paramilitary forces. There is a possibility that the box fell off one of the Army wagons during movement. All possible angles are being investigated.”

Shyamlal Popli, a local resident, said: “Three boys — Prince, Pawan and Bittu — who had gone to attend the nature’s call found the rounds near the tracks around 8 am. They raised the alarm and we alerted the police and the Shahabad station master.”

Slips found in the casing suggested the bombs were manufactured by Ordnance Factory, Pune. The mortars were handed over to the GRP and a case has been registered.