Sensation prevailed in Gadheri village when a live military bomb weighing over 12 kilograms was found during construction work near Dumna Airport on Friday evening. The bomb was found while workers were digging the foundation for a house on a private plot. According to locals, labourers were excavating ground for concrete pillars when they came across a heavy metal object buried about three to four feet below the surface. At first, they assumed it was a piece of old scrap metal and tried to pull it out. However, as more of the object became visible, its shape raised suspicions that it could be a military explosive. Sensing danger, the workers immediately stopped work and informed the plot owner and the police.

 

A team from Khamaria Police Station and Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) quickly reached the spot and secured the area. After examining the object, experts confirmed that it was an unexploded military shell, commonly known as an unexploded ordnance (UXO). Officials said the bomb was still active and, if detonated, could have caused serious damage within a radius of around 50 metres. To ensure public safety, police cordoned off the area and asked nearby residents to move to a safe distance. The bomb was later handed over to Army experts for safe disposal.

 

The discovery created panic and curiosity among villagers, with many gathering near the site before police dispersed the crowd. Authorities believe the shell may be several decades old. Since the location is only about six kilometres from the military zone and Ordnance Factory Khamaria, investigators suspect it could be linked to an old military exercise or testing activity and may have remained buried underground for years. Security agencies are now investigating how the live military shell ended up in a residential area. Fortunately, no injuries or property damage were reported in the incident.