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Bomb defused at Howrah station

Last updated on: February 11, 2010 21:28 IST
The Howrah station

A  powerful bomb contained in a can was found at the Howrah railway station in Kolkata on Thursday, but it was defused before it could cause any damage.

"It was an IED having potential to cause major damage. The bomb contained chemical compounds immersed in kerosene oil
and sharp metal shrapnels," ADG (Railways) Dilip Mitra said.

According to Eastern Railway officials, a vendor noticed the jerry can lying abandoned on platform number two at around
1:30 pm and informed the railway police, which immediately cordoned off the area. A wire hanging out from the jerry can aroused suspicion that it was a bomb, a railway spokesman said.

A bomb disposal squad was called immediately, which removed the bomb from the platform and defused it, he said.

Sniffer dogs were also taken to the station after the discovery of the bomb, which did not have any remote control device, he said.The movement of trains from the platform was suspended and it was cordoned off, the spokesman said.

Text: Press Trust of India