Uttarakhand Police recovered 161 gelatin sticks – a high-grade explosive material – from bushes near a Government Higher Secondary School in Dabra village of Almora district, prompting an immediate security lockdown of the area and the launch of an intensive investigation.
The discovery was reported in the evening after the school principal alerted the police that students, while playing, had noticed a suspicious object in the bushes close to the school premises.
A police team reached the location without delay, cordoned off the entire area, and summoned the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) and dog squad. After a thorough search, the teams recovered the 161 gelatin sticks, seized them as evidence, and collected samples from the site for forensic examination. An FIR has been registered against unknown persons under relevant sections of the Indian Explosives Act.
Almora Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Devendra Pincha confirmed the recovery and told the media that a detailed investigation is in progress. He appealed to the public not to pay heed to rumours and assured them that only verified information would be shared with the public.
“In Dabra village, around 161 gelatin sticks were found in bushes near the school. The local police reached the spot and called in the BDS team, which carried out an inquiry and searched the entire area. An FIR has been registered under the appropriate sections. Further action is underway,” the SSP said.
Officials explained that gelatin sticks are routinely used in controlled rock blasting for road construction and mining work. The SSP further informed that four dedicated investigation teams have been constituted to trace the source of the explosives and to determine who placed them near the school and with what intent.
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The incident has occurred against the backdrop of heightened national security alerts following two major explosive-related cases earlier this month. Hours after Delhi Police on November 10 recovered approximately 2,900 kg of explosives from near Al Falah University in Faridabad and arrested several doctors associated with the institution, a vehicle laden with explosives exploded near the Red Fort.
The car was being driven by Dr Umar Un Nabi, a doctor from Kashmir. The blast claimed 15 lives and left many others injured. Subsequent investigations established it as a terrorist attack and uncovered an elaborate “white-collar terror” network involving highly qualified professionals, leading to multiple arrests of doctors and others linked to the conspiracy. Security agencies across the country continue to remain on high alert in the wake of these developments.
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