Siliguri, West Bengal: A routine day for rag pickers in Siliguri’s Champasari area took a dangerous turn when they stumbled upon a live grenade in a deserted plot. The discovery sent shockwaves through the quiet neighborhood, prompting an immediate police and military response.
Here are the five most shocking facts about this alarming incident.
1. Rag Pickers—Not Police—First Spotted the Grenade
In an unexpected twist, it was not law enforcement or residents but rag pickers who first noticed the grenade lying in an abandoned area of Champasari, a locality under Siliguri’s Matigara block. The workers, who routinely search for scrap metal, immediately alerted nearby residents, who then informed the Pradhannagar police station.
This raises serious questions about public safety—how many other dangerous items might lie undetected in similar areas? Rag pickers, often the most overlooked members of society, played a crucial role in preventing a potential disaster.
2. The Grenade Sat Undetected for Over 24 Hours
The grenade was discovered on Thursday evening, but it took until Friday afternoon for the Indian Army’s bomb disposal team from Bengdubi Military Station to arrive and safely remove it. During that time, police cordoned off the area but did not evacuate nearby homes.
Experts say a delay in securing live explosives increases risks. In comparison, a similar grenade found in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district last year was neutralized within six hours. Why did Siliguri’s response take longer? Officials cite procedural delays in military coordination.
3. The Grenade May Have Been Locally Made
Early reports suggest the grenade lacked standard military markings, raising suspicions that it could be an indigenous or improvised explosive device (IED). Security analysts note a rise in such weapons across India, particularly in states like Jharkhand and Haryana, where militant groups often use crude but deadly explosives.
If confirmed, this would mean the grenade was not a leftover from military stockpiles but possibly linked to illegal arms networks. Investigators are now tracing its origin.
4. Why Was It Left in a Deserted Spot?
The grenade was found in an isolated area, far from crowded markets or residential clusters. This has led to two theories:
- Accidental Loss: Someone transporting the grenade may have dropped it unknowingly.
- Intentional Placement: The spot could have been a temporary hiding place before further movement.
Similar cases in Jammu and Rajouri have seen grenades stored in forests before being used in attacks. Police are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby roads to track suspicious activity.
5. No Prior Intelligence—A Major Security Gap
Perhaps the most concerning detail is that security forces had no prior intelligence about the grenade’s presence. Unlike in Manipur or Nagaland, this incident was accidental, where tip-offs often lead to weapon recoveries.
Locals are now demanding increased patrolling and bomb-sniffing sweeps in vulnerable areas. “If rag pickers hadn’t seen it, who knows what could have happened?” said a Champasari resident.
What Happens Next?
The grenade has been taken to a military facility for forensic analysis. Police are questioning local scrap dealers and checking recent criminal records for possible leads. Meanwhile, the Army has issued guidelines for civilians on identifying suspicious objects.
