From Our Correspondent
NONGPOH, Oct 12: The Ri-Bhoi Police averted a potential tragedy after detecting and safely defusing a powerful improvised explosive device (IED) planted inside the compound of Nehlang Lyngdoh in Umsning Market on Saturday evening.
According to Ri-Bhoi Senior Superintendent of Police Vivekanand Singh Rathore, the incident occurred at around 7:30 pm, when police received information that an abandoned bag suspected to contain explosives had been found in one of the buildings in Umsning Market.
Acting immediately on the input, a police team launched an operation and detected the black bag inside the compound. The area was promptly cordoned off, and the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) along with the K9 team were requisitioned to the site.
“After taking all necessary precautions as per the standard operating procedures, we found that it was an IED, probably made using gelatin as the explosive material and electric detonators and was safely diffused, ” said Rathore.
Upon examination, experts confirmed that the abandoned bag contained a powerful IED made using approximately 4.7 kilograms of gelatin, 10 detonators, and around 50 iron rod pieces as splinters. All explosive materials were safely seized from the scene as per procedure, taking every precaution.
Police confirmed that no loss of life or property occurred during the operation, thanks to the swift response and professionalism of the teams involved.
Rathore also informed that the IED was successfully diffused and that they have identified a suspect and police are on the job to arrest him as quickly as possible.
The district police chief further noted that the motive behind the attempt remains under investigation, though an arrest is expected soon.
The timely and coordinated action by Ri-Bhoi Police, bomb squad, and the K9 unit prevented what could have been a devastating explosion in the heart of Umsning.
