A loud explosion near the Kothagudem railway station on Wednesday triggered widespread panic, with the blast later traced to a crude bomb that killed a stray dog. Authorities have moved swiftly to investigate the incident and reassure the public.
Chain of Unfortunate Events Unfolds
The incident began when a stray dog, rummaging through a garbage dump, found a suspicious object described as being shaped like an onion. Mistaking the device for food, the animal picked it up in a black bag and dragged it onto the railway tracks. The bomb detonated when the dog bit into it, killing the animal instantly. The powerful blast was heard across the neighborhood, sending residents scrambling for cover.
Police Swift Response and Investigation
III Town police and a dog squad reached the spot within minutes, cordoning off the area for examination. Bhadradri Kothagudem District Superintendent of Police B Rohith Raju led the inquiry. Police seized the black bag and collected remnants of the explosive for analysis. Initial findings point to the device being a locally made crude bomb typically used by poachers to kill wild animals.
"It is a crude bomb that poachers use. There is no need for people to panic about the incident as rumours on social media should not be believed," SP Rohith Raju stated. He confirmed that the police found no signs of sabotage or a targeted attack aimed at the railway infrastructure or the public.
Multi-Agency Probe and Security Measures
A comprehensive investigation is now underway involving multiple agencies:
- Govt Railway Police (GRP)
- Railway Protection Force (RPF)
- Local Kothagudem Police
The dog squad was deployed to sweep the vicinity for any other explosive materials. As a precaution, local shopkeepers were asked to shut their establishments briefly during the security checks. Authorities are also scrutinizing CCTV footage from nearby buildings to identify who dumped the hazardous device in the open area.
The police have launched a dedicated inquiry to track the source of the crude bomb and the poachers believed to be responsible. The focus remains on ensuring public safety and preventing such dangerous materials from being left accessible in public spaces.
