A mortar-like object found near a river at Kanpur Dehat; the bomb disposal team from Jhansi rushes in

Representative image only. File | Photo credit: ANI

“Panic gripped Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur Dehat on Thursday (June 11, 2026) morning after a mortar-like object was found near a waterlogged stretch along Non river in Gajner area, prompting a major security response,” officials said.

“A suspicious object was spotted near Jaswapur village by locals who had gone fishing in a patch-like pond connected to the river. One of the villagers, identified as Anil Kumar, informed the police through 112 after spotting the object lying near the water body,” Circle Officer (Akbarpur) Sanjay Kumar Singh said.

“After receiving the alert, a large police team led by station constable Gajner and other officials rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area as a precaution,” he added.

“Public movement around the site was immediately stopped. Anti-sabotage control team, bomb disposal squad and forensic experts were called to inspect the site,” Mr. Singh further said. At first glance, the recovered object resembled a mortar shell, although officials said its exact nature could only be confirmed after technical examination.

Eyewitnesses said tensions rose briefly when a local youth allegedly picked up an object and tried to run away with it before police chased him down and forced him to drop it.

“This is not a toy, it can explode,” a police officer was heard warning during the commotion. Due to the seriousness of the recovery, the bomb detection and disposal unit of the security department was shifted from Jhansi to Kanpur Dehat.

Kanpur Dehat Superintendent of Police (SP) Shraddha Narayan Pandey told PTI that the object was found near a water body connected to the Non river and that the security directorate was informed immediately after it was found.

“At present, it is difficult to clearly determine whether the recovered object is a mortar shell or another metal object. However, the bomb detection team has prima facie declared it non-explosive,” the SP added.

She said the object had been safely secured and a specialist disposal team from security headquarters would carry out a detailed analysis to determine its origin and nature.

“The disposal team will determine whether it is a lost item, a missing defence-related item, whether it belongs to the military or is linked to any other agency. Definitive conclusions will be given after a detailed examination by the disposal team,” she told PTI.

Additional director general (Kanpur zone) Anupam Kulshreshtha also confirmed the recovery and said the object has been kept safe while further investigation is underway. Authorities have stepped up surveillance in and around the village.

Published – 11 Jun 2026 13:49 IST