Dwarka residents in a tizzy after finding bomb in locality

Nashik: Disaster was averted in a crowded locality of Dwarka on Wednesday morning after the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) defused a low-intensity bomb that had been kept under a tree in front of Ravindra Vidyalaya.
The BDDS team reached the spot immediately after getting a call from local residents and shifted the object from the crowded locality to the school's playground before defusing it.
While the residents breathed a sigh of relief, speculations were rife about who could have placed the bomb and the intent behind doing so.
"Had the bomb exploded, it would have caused damage within a radius of not more than a few metres. It was a low-intensity Improvised Explosive Device (IED) fixed on a tab phone. Calculator batteries were used to create the circuit in this device with an empty plastic bag fixed over it," BDDS inspector K M Wagh said.
"Prima facie, we can safely say that the bomb was not placed as part of a planned attack, as such low-intensity bombs are not usually used for such reasons. Still, we have handed over the object to the forensic department. The Bhadrakali police are investigating the case," Wagh said.
The police will decide on its next step after receiving the forensic report.
However, several citizens believe that some planning had gone into placing the bomb near the school. "The spot that was picked for placing the bomb is in a sensitive area surrounded by a school building, an ATM, a shopping complex, the office of a senior citizens' club and a youth organisation, Dwarka Health Club Mitra Mandal. There is a gas agency right outside the spot where the bomb was placed. Had it gone off near vehicles carrying LPG cylinders, the incident could have been serious," said one Vitthal Mahale.
Top police officials, including police commissioner S Jagannathan, went to the spot later in the day. "It appears to be prank played by somebody to create panic. Still, we are taking the incident seriously and will find out who placed the bomb. Investigations will begin in full swing once the police receive the forensic report," said Jagannathan, while appealing to the residents to maintain peace and avoid speculation over the incident.
This is not for the first time that a live bomb has been detected in Nashik. On February 24 last year, a country-made bomb kept in a carton was found at the reception counter of a leading real estate developer's office. Yet another bomb hoax was reported on July 26 last year when two unclaimed bags were placed at the Red Cross Signal on MG Road.
Even if the bomb had exploded, it would have caused damage within a radius of not more than a few metres. It was a low-intensity Improvised Explosive Device (IED) fixed on a tab phone. Calculator batteries were used to create the circuit in this device with an empty plastic bag fixed over it
Even if the bomb had exploded, it would have caused damage within a radius of not more than a few metres. It was a low-intensity Improvised Explosive Device (IED) fixed on a tab phone. Calculator batteries were used to create the circuit in this device with an empty plastic bag fixed over it