WW-II aerial bomb found during dredging operations in Kolkata
A 1000-pound aerial bomb dating back to the World War-II era has been unearthed at a dock in Kolkata during routine dredging operations. The area was cordoned off following the discovery of the bomb at around 2 pm yesterday and the police, Navy and the Army were duly informed, Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) Chairman Vinit Kumar said. Read the details here.
Bomb to be defused with the help of Ordnance Factory
"The 4.5m-long aerial bomb was located around 2pm during dredging operations at Netaji Subhas Dock berth II. Initially, we thought it was a torpedo, but the Navy confirmed that it is a bomb," said Kumar. The explosive is likely to be defused with the help of officials from the Ordnance Factory, he added. A Navy official said that the bomb doesn't pose any risk.
Bomb doesn't pose any risk because of various security locks
The bomb does not pose any risk as it has several security locks affixed to it, confirmed Commodore Suprobho K De, naval officer-in-charge, West Bengal. He said, "It is a 450-kg aerial bomb fitted with brackets to attach with fighter planes." "Also, aerial bombs have to be dropped from a certain height to make an impact," he explained further.
US Navy used Netaji Subhas Dock extensively during World War-II
De said there isn't much that the Navy can do about the device. "I hope the KoPT will seek help from the Ordnance Factory, which has expertise in making ammunition. If needed, we may contact Vizag naval base for assistance," De adeed. Netaji Subhas Dock, on the east-bank of Hooghly river, was extensively used by the US Navy during WW II for its operations.
