Confessions of a Bomb Squad Policeman

“We never know the composition of a bomb and recent blasts have shown that in every case, the ingredients are different. We can’t go… presuming every bomb has RDX.”

“We never know the composition of a bomb and recent blasts have shown that in every case, the ingredients are different. We can’t go… presuming every bomb has RDX.”

I am scared of my uniform catching fire if a bomb goes off while defusing it. The uniform is a little like a space suit, bulky and uncomfortable. It is difficult to run in it. Even handling bombs is risky because we cannot move our fingers freely inside the thick gloves. However, when I get a call to rush to a site, the state of my uniform is the last thing on my mind. 

Our job has become tougher after the Mumbai terror attacks. In every mall and multiplex, people who have never seen a bomb in their lives are holding mirrors to your cars and checking your purses for a bomb. But the unfortunate thing is that security guards just don’t know what they have to look for. Even if they see wrapping paper on the floor, they will call the bomb disposal squad. There are just too many calls. And no call can be ignored.  We are short staffed like every other department of the police, but that cannot be an excuse. If we goof up, the consequences will be there for all to see. 

Our education in the bomb squad has to be a lot more extensive. We never know the composition of a bomb, and recent blasts have shown that in every case, the ingredients are different. We cannot go to the site presuming that every bomb has RDX. It might be something far more deadly, which we may have never seen. International experts, particularly from regions that have seen constant violence, must be invited to conduct interactive sessions with the police. Every policeman must know the ins and outs of bombs.  

We have defused live bombs, but it is something one never wants to do again. What if you pull a wrong wire? When we look at a bomb, there is never time to really understand it. All you want to do is defuse it.

If we ever have to defuse a bomb, the rule is that it must be done in an open space with no humans around. But where are you going to find that in a crowded city like Mumbai? In fact, valuable time could be lost in trying to locate such a place. Besides, people always crowd around, regardless of safety.

(This policeman has been with the bomb squad in Mumbai for about three years)

As told to Haima Deshpande.

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