Even as the sleuths of Anti-Terrorists Squad (ATS) are busy scanning the terror angle in the lone wolf attack on Gorakhnath temple last Sunday, the recovery of five bomb-like shells with digital timers near Safedabad railway station in Barabanki sent the police in a tizzy.
The recovery put senior officers on high alert and they rushed to the spot along with Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) and fire personnel. The bombs were successfully defused after two hours.
Officials of UP ATS also rushed to the spot to look into any possible terror angle. It is suspected that the bombs might have been prepared for subversive activity in Lucknow but were dumped near the railway station for some reason.
The police were now examining the explosive used in the bomb to confirm whether it was the handiwork of any terror group or some local youths were involved to create panic.
As per reports, five bomb-like shells with timers were noticed by a local behind Safedabad railway station, merely three kilometers from Barabanki-Lucknow border. He immediately informed the police control room after which a Police Response Vehicle (PRV) reached the spot and later sounded an alert. Later, Superintendent of Police of Barabanki. Anurag Vats, ASP Purendra Singh and police personnel from Satrikh and Nagar Kotwali reached the spot.
The area was immediately cordoned off and vehicular and public movement was suspended. The surrounding area was also evacuated and train movement was also stopped for some time. The bomb detection and disposal squad from Lucknow was rushed to check and defuse the bombs.