– Shabana Javed
Kolkata: A mortar, believed to have been used by the Pakistani Army during the 1971 Liberation War, was unearthed in West Bengal’s Cooch Behar district after 53 years. The discovery was made on Wednesday morning in Dinhata’s Jhikri area under Choudhurihat gram panchayat.
According to police and BSF sources, local farmer Hiten Modak uncovered the mortar while working in his field near the Jhikri border post. Initially, he did not recognise the object but soon realised it might be dangerous. Shouting “Bomb, bomb,” he alerted nearby labourers, who gathered around and found the partially buried mortar with “Pakistan” inscribed on it.
Sub-divisional Police Officer (Dinhata) Dhiman Mitra stated that labourers digging for construction work in the area had initially mistaken the mortar for an ordinary explosive. Upon discovery, BSF officials promptly cordoned off the area, ensuring civilian safety.
The origin of the mortar remains uncertain, though it is speculated to have been a remnant of the intense military activity during the 1971 war in the India-Bangladesh border region. While BSF officials declined to comment, the incident was confirmed by Sub-divisional Police Officer Mitra.
