New Delhi: Personnel from the Indian Army and the Jharkhand Police Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) conducted a joint inspection on Monday, March 23, 2026, at the site near the Subarnarekha River where a suspected World War II-era bomb was unearthed. The massive ordnance was discovered during sand excavation along the Panipada-Nagudsai stretch in Baharagora, approximately 90 km from Jamshedpur. Following an initial assessment by the Ranchi-based BDDS last week, which confirmed the device is still “active” and exceptionally heavy, the Jharkhand Police formally requested the technical expertise of the Indian Army for its safe disposal.
The unexploded bomb, which bears a striking resemblance to a large gas cylinder, features clear markings identifying it as an AN-M64 500 lb (approximately 227 kg) general-purpose bomb of American origin. Local authorities have cordoned off the riverbank and utilized drones to map the terrain before initiating the delicate defusal process. Police officials stated that the sheer explosive power and age of the device make it too hazardous for standard disposal procedures, necessitating specialized military intervention.
Historical and Technical Context
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The Ordnance: The AN-M64 was a standard-issue US aerial bomb during World War II and the Korean War, typically filled with roughly 120 kg (262 lbs) of high explosives like TNT or Amatol.
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Regional Connection: While the presence of such a bomb is rare in Jharkhand, historians suggest it may be linked to the extensive Allied aerial activity in eastern India during the 1940s, specifically related to the nearby Kalaikunda Air Force Station in West Bengal, which served as a major base for US and British bomber operations.
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Alternative Theories: Some local experts have noted the possibility of the bomb being a relic from the 1971 Indo-Pak war or even linked to a 2018 fighter jet crash in the same river, though the “AN-M64” markings strongly point to its WWII-era US origins.
The Sub-Divisional Police Officer (Ghatsila), Ajit Kumar Kujur, confirmed that the area remains under strict surveillance. The Indian Army is expected to finalize a disposal plan—likely a controlled detonation—once the site mapping and technical evaluations are complete. Villagers have been strictly warned to stay away from the cordoned zone until the “active” threat is neutralized.
