Uttarakhand: Explosives Found Near Almora Schools Spark Major Security Alert

Almora, Uttarakhand – A major security alert has been issued in the Almora district of Uttarakhand after a significant quantity of explosives was discovered near two schools in the Salt area. The recovery, which includes 161 gelignite sticks and over 20 kg of other highly explosive materials, has prompted a large-scale investigation and heightened security measures in the region.

The explosives were initially spotted by school children on Thursday while they were searching for a cricket ball in the bushes near the Government Higher Secondary School in Dabara village. According to the FIR, the principal of the school contacted the Salt Police Station at approximately 2:50 pm to report that children playing near the school had found a suspicious object in the nearby bushes. Recognizing the potential danger, school authorities immediately alerted the police.

A team from Bhikiyasain responded and carried out the recovery operation on Friday. The police cordoned off the area and summoned bomb disposal and dog squad units to conduct a thorough search. Canine teams were deployed to scour the school campus and adjacent fields, leading to the discovery of additional packets of gelatin sticks hidden up to 20 feet away from the initial find.

The recovered items were identified as cylindrical plastic packets with the inscription "901 emulsion explosives 125 gm by SBL Energy Limited". Gelignite sticks, commonly used for blasting in road construction and mining, are classified as explosive substances, raising concerns about their presence near a school.

The timing of this discovery is particularly alarming, as it comes shortly after the seizure of nearly 2,900 kg of explosive materials in Haryana related to the investigation of the Delhi Red Fort blast. This context has amplified concerns and triggered a comprehensive security response in Uttarakhand.

District authorities have launched an extensive operation, deploying dog squads and forensic teams to comb the area. Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) personnel and additional police units have joined the effort. Teams from the bomb disposal unit, local intelligence unit (LIU), and the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) are participating in the search to ensure no additional hazardous materials remain.

A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against unknown persons under Section 4(A) of the Explosive Substances Act, 1908, and Section 288 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), which addresses negligent conduct concerning explosive substances.

Almora Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Devendra Pincha confirmed the recovery and stated that an investigation is actively underway. "Around 161 gelatin sticks were found near the school," SSP Pincha stated. He added that while gelatin sticks are typically used for construction and rock blasting, their presence near a school is a serious concern. SSP Pincha has urged the public to avoid spreading or believing rumors, assuring that verified information will be shared as the investigation progresses.

Forensic experts conducted a second round of testing on Saturday to ascertain the origin and nature of the gelatin sticks. Investigators have mapped the site, collected soil samples, and gathered evidence from various locations. Authorities are exploring several possibilities, including whether the explosives were connected to a past road construction project in the vicinity. One theory suggests the explosives may have been stored at a nearby workers' camp, located just 30 meters from where they were found, and later abandoned after becoming unusable.

The seized explosives will be safely disposed of following court approval. In the meantime, security measures have been heightened in Almora and surrounding areas to prevent any potential incidents.