Tripura: Mortar shells from 1971 India-Pakistan war era found in fish pond
Initially, it was unclear whether the recovered ammunition were cannon or mortar shells, but it was later confirmed to be mortar shells.
A significant cache of mortar shells, believed to date back to the 1971 India-Pakistan war that led to the liberation of Bangladesh, was discovered during the excavation of a fish pond in the Rangutia area, near the Bamuthia police outpost in West Tripura district, on Thursday.
The unexpected find has created a sensation in the locality.
Initially, it was unclear whether the recovered ammunition were cannon or mortar shells, but it was later confirmed to be mortar shells.
Upon receiving the news, a substantial number of police and Tripura State Rifles (TSR) personnel from the Bamuthia outpost rushed to the site to oversee the continued excavation. A total of 27 mortar shells were uncovered.
Anthony Jamatia, the officer in charge of the Bamuthia outpost, reported that the mortar shells were found buried in the ground at Dulal Nam's property in the Rangutia area during the digging of a fish pond. The shells were fused together and appeared to have been buried for approximately 53 years. However, there is no information available regarding the country of origin or the manufacturer of the shells.
Local elders recalled that during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, the Mukti Bahini, the Bangladeshi liberation forces, often traveled through and trained in the Bamuthia area. It is believed that the Mukti Bahini may have buried the mortar shells in this location, intending to retrieve them later, but never did.
This discovery in the Rangutia area, near the India-Bangladesh border in West Tripura district, highlights once again India's significant role in the Bangladesh Liberation War and its ultimate victory.
Anthony Jamatia, officer in charge of the Bamuthia outpost, confirmed the details of the find.
