Title - Bombs found on rail track near Tatanagar

A major disaster was averted when three powerful pipe bombs — apparently planted by Maoists on a railway track to blow up a passenger train - were recovered from the Tata-Badampahar route.South Eastern Railway officials said the spot falls in the Chakradharpur railway division, under Potka Police Station, about 10 km from Tatanagar Railway Station.“The Tatanagar-Badam pahar passenger train, the only one on this route, had passed a little while ago. The three bombs and attached gelatin rods were defused immediately,” said Station Superintendent R Choudhary. It is yet unclear why the explosives were planted after the train had passed but presumably, it was an attempt to instill fear.A bomb disposal squad was sent in from the East Singhbhum district police. Police and Railway Protection Force (RPF) officials also rushed to the spot and to find out whether the bombs were planted by Maoists or were the handiwork of some other group.According to railway sources, a railway man at Tatanagar Railway Station spotted wires connecting to something under a fish-plate on the track near Burudih level crossing and informed the authorities. The three were powerful explosives, with three gelatin sticks and batteries.Tatanagar assistant engineer RP Meena, who went to the spot, confirmed them to be highly-explosive materials. “According to our initial investigation, it appears that the bombs were targeted to blow up a passenger train or goods train which operates on that route,” he said. Meena added that the Tata-Badampahar train passes Burudih level crossing at 6.40 am every day.

Senior Superintendent of Police Akhilesh Kumar Jha confirmed having recovered three bombs from a railway track but said the persons responsible had not yet been identified. Superintendent of Railway Police (Tatanagar) Mritunjay Kishore also confirmed the find and

added, “We investigating the incident.”

Officer in-charge of Potka Police Station Vidya Singh pointed out that the area was not known for a strong Maoist presence and that the hand of some other group could not be ruled out. A case has been registered.