Explosives found near Uttarakhand schools spark panic

A major scare gripped Uttarakhand’s Almora district after 161 gelatin sticks and 20 kg of explosives were recovered from bushes near two schools in the Salt area.
The incident came to light when a group of students, who were searching for a cricket ball, noticed suspicious packets hidden in the bushes. They immediately alerted the school authorities, who informed the police.
Police teams rushed to the spot and cordoned off the entire area. Bomb disposal experts, assisted by sniffer dogs, examined the site and safely removed the explosives. An FIR has been registered under three sections, and a detailed investigation is underway to identify those responsible for hiding the materials.
Almora District SSP Devendra Pincha urged the public not to panic or believe in rumours. He clarified that gelatin sticks are commonly used in mining, construction and rock-breaking but their presence near a school is highly alarming.
The discovery of such a large quantity of explosives close to educational institutions has caused widespread concern among parents and residents in the region.