Bomb scare on Orissa rail tracks; train services affected

Train services were affected for about an hour on Mumbai-Howrah route due to a bomb scare along the tracks near Jharsuguda in Orissa today, spreading panic in the area, railway police said.
   
Five small crude bombs, generally used during marriage and other celebrations along with crackers, were found lying along the tracks at Chaukipada, about 160 km from here, deputy superintendent of police (Railway), M Mahanta said.

A bomb detection and disposal squad was immediately called and personnel from the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and government railway police (GRP) rushed to the site soon after the round objects were spotted, he said.

However, an officer of the local police acquainted with bomb detection and disposal operation seized the bombs and neutralised them by immersing the objects in water before the squad reached the spot, Mahanta said.

Trains remained suspended on the busy route for about an hour and normal traffic resumed after the explosives were removed, he said.

While investigation into the episode was on, police suspected that the bombs could have been thrown by petty criminals, who generally use such objects while committing crimes to scare people.