The bomb disposal team of Counter Explosive Device Unit of Headquarter Central Command, Lucknow, claimed to have successfully disposed off 555 unexploded bombs which were buried underground for the past 14 years at Jaspur in Udham Singh Nagar district.
The extremely challenging task of safe extraction and final disposal of the bombs had started on October 12 and was successfully completed on October 21. A team comprising one officer, one junior commissioned officer and 12 jawans worked hard for 10 days at a site near the bank of Feeka river in village Hajiro in Udham Singh Nagar district, claimed a release issued from Lucknow.
As per the release, in 2004, one or two out of 16 containers had dangerous and extremely hazardous consignments which were brought from Iraq. The scrap had a total of 555 Unexploded Explosive Ordnance and the bombs. These were bought by SD Steel Factory, Kashipur from a scrap dealer at Tuglaqabad Delhi. A blast occurred at SD Steel Factory in December 2004, resulting in death and injury of workers. Subsequently, the hazardous unexploded ammunition was buried under the ground.
A request was later made by the civil administration to Headquarters Central Command, Lucknow for safe disposal of the bombs, artillery shells and other explosive items.
The bombs were destroyed in smaller segregated batches by controlled explosions so as to mitigate any threat to the local populace, wildlife and properties in the vicinity, the release said. It added that the process was accomplished under guidance and close supervision of the Commanding Officer, Colonel Vinay Bahl. The task was successfully completed on October 21.