A young farmer, Kalyan Kumar of Kotha Timmapuram near Puttur town, was taken aback when he found a curious object emerging from the ground while he was tilling his land on Tuesday. Soon, a big gathering rushed to the spot, and a commotion gripped the village that bombs were planted in the ground.

The object turned out to be a bomb that was in vogue in the British Army during the World War-II.

Fearing that it would explode, the farmer buried the object in the ground, and informed the Puttur police, who rushed to the spot along with the bomb disposal squad.

Thorough observation of the grenade, and some markings on it led to information that it was an artillery explosive supplied to the British troops in the World War-II.

Going by the past records of the police and revenue wings, an Army base camp had existed in the zone between Puttur and Nagari during the World War-II.

Surveillance troops used to guard the surroundings pitching tents on Nagari and Sadasiva Kona hills. It was also found that a military personnel of the British period lived in Kotha Timmapuram village several decades ago.

Puttur Circle-Inspector T. Sainath and Sub-Inspector Hanumanthappa said apart from thoroughly scanning the fields at the village, the ground was also dug for explosive material.

“The explosive object would be sent for further tests,” the policemen said.