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Kathua: An old and rusted mortar shell was recovered during digging work in the Kattal Brahmana area of Hiranagar in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district on Tuesday morning, creating a security alert in the locality. The police immediately responded after receiving information about the suspected unexploded ordnance and secured the area as a precautionary measure.
According to officials, the incident took place at around 9:15 am in Kattal Brahmana village of Tehsil Hiranagar. The mortar shell was discovered while excavation work was being carried out in the courtyard of a vacant house belonging to Subash Chander, son of Nago Ram, a resident of the village.
After the suspicious object was noticed, local residents immediately informed the police. A team from Police Post Sherpur reached the location without delay, secured the area, restricted public access and took the old rusted mortar shell into safe custody as a precautionary measure. Officials ensured that the site was cordoned off to prevent any accidental handling of the explosive device.
The Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) from the District Police Lines (DPL) Kathua was subsequently informed and dispatched to the location to conduct a technical examination and safely dispose of the unexploded shell in accordance with established standard operating procedures (SOPs). Explosive ordnance disposal experts are expected to neutralise the device using approved safety protocols after completing the necessary risk assessment.
Officials said no injuries, casualties or damage to property were reported in the incident. The recovered shell appeared to be old and heavily rusted, but authorities treated it as a live unexploded explosive until it could be examined and rendered safe by the Bomb Disposal Squad.
Police have completed the initial legal formalities and further proceedings are underway. Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation until the explosive device is safely disposed of and the area is declared completely secure.
