Meghalaya: Timely action of guard helps police to defuse 7kg IED

Shillong: The timely recovery of an improvised explosive device (IED) weighing approximately 7 kg saved several lives and property at Bther village in East Khasi Hills on Thursday .

According to an official press release, issued by East Khasi Hills SP, it was due to the timely warning of a security guard that the police were able to evacuate the area and avoid any untoward incident.

SP Vivekanand Singh said, “The IED must have been planted in the night between January 15 and 16. The nigh watchman on duty spotted some electric wires at around 6 am on Thursday and he informed the police. On receiving the information, the team from Umpleng AD Camp rushed to the site and evacuated the area. Subsequently, bomb squad from police headquarters, Shillong defused the IED.”

Preliminary investigation shows that gelatin, which is commonly used for limestone mining in the region, has been used as an explosive in the IED. The splinters have also been seized as per procedure and have been sent to forensic science laboratory for expert opinion.

The IED was recovered from the premises of Meghalaya Coke which is at present under construction at Bther village.

“According to prima facie, the act appears to be an outcome of rivalry and a handiwork of local miscreants. However, a case has been registered in this regard at Khliehriat Police Station and the matter is being investigated from all angles,” said the statement.