Low intensity bomb defused in Ranchi

Ranchi (Jharkhand), June 16 (ANI): The security forces defused a low intensity Improvised Explosive Device (IED) here on Wednesday, thereby averting a major Maoist attack.

The officials said the 50-kilogram bomb that was found along a roadside in Ranchi's prime neighbourhood of Bariatu, is suspected to be a part of an elaborate Maoist plan to spread violence in the State.

On Wednesday morning, the locals spotted a suspicious bag lying unattended on the road, following which they immediately alerted the police.

The police, shocked at finding a live IED inside the bag, called a bomb disposal team from the Jharkhand Jaguars to defuse the bomb.

The bomb was then carried to a desolate area in the outskirts of Ranchi, where the Jharkhand Jaguars blasted it off in a deep pit.

It has been reported that though the recovered explosive was of low intensity, it could have wreaked havoc in the residential area where it was found.

"We first tried to open the lid of the bomb, but it did not budge. After giving the remaining items found near the bomb to the area police station in-charge, we blasted it off in a pit," said Rachit Kumar Modi, Sub- Inspector, Jharkhand Jaguar force.

"There was a loud explosion. However, we are capable enough to oil any militant plan of the Maoists," he added. (ANI)