Kolkata: Panic gripped Laudaha village near Bolpur in Birbhum district after locals discovered a live World War II bomb near the Ajay River. The World War II bomb in Birbhum was soon a center of attention. The Indian Army quickly arrived from a nearby base, examined the explosive, and safely defused it, ending hours of tension in the area.
Local fishermen first spotted a metal cylinder on the riverbank nearly a month ago. They ignored it at first, but after realizing it could be dangerous, they informed the police. Officers reached the site, sealed off the area, and requested Army assistance. The discovery triggered concern over what other remnants like this World War II bomb might be found in Birbhum.
Army engineers inspected the bomb and then detonated it in a controlled explosion. The blast shook nearby villages, and residents felt tremors several kilometers away.
“We took all safety precautions during the defusing process. People panicked when the bomb was found, but everything is now under control,” said a senior Birbhum police officer.
The incident reignited discussions about Bengal’s forgotten wartime history. During World War II, Allied forces built an airstrip in Jhargram for fighter aircraft, which often dropped test bombs to reduce weight. Some of these explosives still remain buried beneath the soil. It’s a stark reminder that artifacts such as the World War II bomb in Birbhum can resurface unexpectedly.
Last year, workers digging in Jhargram’s Bhulanpur village uncovered another World War II bomb. Security teams rushed to the scene, sealed the area, and neutralized the device.
Even after eight decades, Bengal continues to unearth traces of a war that once spanned continents — a chilling reminder that history can resurface when least expected.
–IANS
