Fisherman’s Net Pulls Up Grenade in Padma

A routine fishing trip on the Padma River took an unexpected and potentially dangerous turn when a fisherman in Rajshahi hauled a grenade from the water instead of fish. The explosive device was later recovered and safely defused after the family alerted Bangladesh’s National Emergency Service 999.

The incident took place on Wednesday (15 July) in Raotha village under Charghat Police Station in Rajshahi. Police confirmed that the swift response of the fisherman and his family helped prevent what could have been a serious accident.

Police Inspector Anwar Sattar, Public Relations Officer of the National Emergency Service 999, said on Thursday (16 July) that the fisherman, identified as Saidur, had been fishing in the Padma River when his net became caught on a small but unusually heavy object. Covered in mud, the object did not initially appear suspicious. Believing it might be something valuable, he took it home without realising the potential danger.

The situation changed when the object was cleaned. Saidur’s son, Sabbir Rahman, examined its shape and became concerned that it resembled an explosive device. After comparing its appearance with information available through an online search, he suspected it could be a bomb or grenade. Rather than attempting to handle it further, he immediately contacted the National Emergency Service by dialling 999.

Following the emergency call, the 999 control room promptly informed Charghat Police Station, the Bomb Disposal Unit and the district police control room so that appropriate action could be taken. The emergency call was received by 999 call taker Constable Yasin Arafat, while Police Dispatcher Sub-Inspector Aminul Islam remained in continuous contact with both the caller and the local police throughout the operation to ensure a coordinated response.

A team from Charghat Police Station, accompanied by specialists from the Bomb Disposal Unit, quickly arrived at the house where the object had been kept. After assessing the situation, they recovered the grenade and followed standard safety procedures to render it harmless. The operation was completed without any injuries or damage to surrounding property.

Authorities have not yet determined how the grenade came to be in the Padma River or how long it had remained there. Police said the matter would be examined further as part of the ongoing inquiry.

The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of exercising caution when unidentified objects are found, particularly in rivers and other public places. Law enforcement officials encourage members of the public to avoid touching suspicious items and to contact the emergency services immediately so trained personnel can deal with them safely. In this case, the family’s quick judgement and prompt call to 999 ensured that a potentially hazardous situation was resolved without loss of life or injury.