The Subarnarekha river, flowing through the Baharagora police station area in East Singhbhum district of Jharkhand, has once again come under scrutiny after a suspected missile bomb, believed to be an unexploded device possibly dating back to the Second World War, was discovered on Thursday.
Villagers who had gone fishing in Panipoda spotted a large metallic object in the middle of the river. On closer inspection, they suspected it could be an explosive and promptly informed the Baharagora police.
Police teams reached the spot soon after receiving the alert and advised residents to maintain a distance from the area. A preliminary investigation has been initiated, while precautionary measures have been put in place to ensure public safety.
Security has been tightened along the riverbank, and access to the immediate vicinity is being restricted to avoid any potential mishap.
Object Believed To Be A Heavy Explosive
Locals believe the object resembles a missile bomb and estimate its weight to be over 200 kilograms. The discovery of such a large suspected explosive triggered panic in the area, with residents moving away from the site as a safety measure.
The incident has heightened fears of unexploded ordnance lying buried in the region, especially given that this is the third such recovery in recent weeks.
Earlier, two similar devices were found near the Subarnarekha river and were safely defused by the Indian Army’s bomb disposal squad. Residents say such objects often surface during sand mining or excavation activities along the riverbed.
Possible World War II Link Raises Concerns
The repeated discovery of suspected missile bombs has led to speculation that these could be remnants from the Second World War. The region was of considerable strategic importance during the war and witnessed sustained military activity, raising concerns that more unexploded devices may still be buried underground.
Jharkhand’s Ramgarh district, now a garrison town, played a significant role during World War II as a major training base. Historical accounts indicate that American instructors trained thousands of Chinese troops there before they were deployed to fight Japanese forces on the Burma front, present-day Myanmar. The area had also earlier functioned as a prisoner-of-war camp.
The Chinese War Cemetery in Ramgarh, spread across seven acres along the Ramgarh-Barkakana state highway, stands as a reminder of this past. It serves as the resting place for 667 Chinese soldiers and is linked to the 30,000-strong Chinese Expeditionary Force that took part in the Burma campaign.
Many of these troops are believed to have trained in Ramgarh, which today houses training centres of the Punjab and Sikh regiments.
Area Cleared, Army And Bomb Squad Alerted
Considering the seriousness of the situation, the local administration has initiated steps to alert the Indian Army and specialised bomb disposal units. The area around the discovery site is being cleared to minimise risk and prevent accidents.
Experts are expected to examine the object upon arrival and determine its condition, origin, and the safest method for disposal.
Villagers Demand Comprehensive Safety Measures
The recurring recovery of explosive materials has left residents deeply обеспокоены (concerned), with many urging authorities to carry out a thorough inspection of the entire region.
Villagers have called for systematic surveys and clearance operations to identify and safely remove any remaining hazardous remnants, in order to prevent future incidents.
Timeline Of Previous Discoveries
- March 17-18, 2026: The first suspected missile bomb was found during sand excavation near the Subarnarekha river and was later defused by the Indian Army.
- Late March 2026: A second explosive device was recovered from the same area and neutralised through a controlled operation.
- April 16, 2026: The third suspected bomb, weighing approximately 200-227 kilograms, was spotted in the river at Panipoda by villagers who had gone fishing. Authorities had again sought assistance from the Army for safely defusing the device.