161 Gelatin Sticks, 20kg Explosives Found Near School in Uttarakhand's Almora

A major security scare unfolded in Uttarakhand's Almora district after a large cache of gelatin sticks was discovered close to a government school in Dabara village.

The discovery has prompted an intensive police investigation at a time when agencies across the country are already on high alert following recent explosive seizures.

Suspicious Packets Found Near Government School

Principal Subhash Singh was the first to spot unusual packets hidden in nearby bushes and promptly alerted authorities. Two police teams reached the location without delay and secured the area, followed by the arrival of bomb disposal and dog squads from Udham Singh Nagar and Nainital.

Search Operation Reveals More Explosives

During the sweep, sniffer dogs detected several packets of gelatin sticks concealed in vegetation. Additional packets were located roughly twenty feet away. The bomb disposal squad collected and sealed all the material before shifting it to a secure location.

"161 gelatin sticks were recovered from the bushes near a school in Dabra village. The police reached the spot. The bomb disposal squad also conducted an inquiry. The nearby areas were also searched," Senior Superintendent of Police Devendra Pincha said.

Authorities Investigate Possible Links

Investigating officers noted that gelatin sticks are typically used for rock blasting in construction and mining. Why such a sizable quantity reached the village remains unknown. A case has been registered against unidentified individuals under Section 4(a) of the Explosive Substances Act 1908 and Section 288 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita.

Heightened Security After Recent Explosive Seizures

Four separate teams have been assigned to the case as police attempt to uncover the source and motive behind the stash. The recovery comes just days after nearly three thousand kilograms of explosive materials were seized in Haryana in connection with the recent blast in Delhi. Security agencies believe some terror networks have been planning coordinated attacks in major cities, prompting wide scale searches across multiple states.