Archive · 8 Sep 2026
World War II Mortar Shell Found Along Bengal Riverbank
People found an old mortar shell near the Damodar River in Bankura, West Bengal.
It was partly buried in the riverbank.
Police closed off the area to keep people safe.
They also told the Indian Army about it.
Army officials came to inspect the shell.
Police believe it may have been used during World War II.
Similar shells have been found in the same region before.
Experts say some weapons may have been buried after a wartime air base operated nearby.
Locals found a mortar shell partly embedded in the Damodar River bank near Sonamukhi in Bankura on Monday evening.
Sonamukhi police cordoned off the area and informed the Indian Army.
Army officials inspected the shell and surrounding area on Tuesday.
Police estimated that the shell dated from World War II; earlier shells in the area were deactivated by the Army.
A college professor linked similar discoveries to a former British and US Air Force base near Pierdoba.
- Who
- Local residents discovered the shell; Sonamukhi police and Indian Army officials responded.
- What
- A suspected World War II-era mortar shell was found partly embedded in a riverbank.
- When
- It was discovered Monday evening, and Army officials inspected it Tuesday morning.
- Where
- On the Damodar River bank in Sonamukhi, Bankura district, West Bengal.
- Why
- The shell may have remained buried after weapons from a wartime base near Pierdoba were buried under soil or sand.
- Object
- A mortar shell believed to date from World War II
- Discovery site
- Damodar River bank, Sonamukhi, Bankura district
- Discovery time
- Monday evening
- Security response
- Police cordoned off the area
- Army response
- Indian Army officials inspected the shell and surrounding area
- Recent local finds
- Three similar mortar shells were found in Dihipara a few months earlier
- Related recovery
- A World War II bomb was defused near Bolpur in Birbhum district in October last year