Panic spread in Kothrud yesterday after locals discovered a bomb-like object near the railing surrounding the Shivaji Maharaj Statue. But later it was learnt that officials of the Special Branch planted the dummy bomb to check the alertness of the citizens. The operation was kept secret from officials of local police station and the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS).u00a0

Explosive situation: An official displays the dummy bomb planted by the officials of Special Branch in Kothrud yesterday. PIC/Sachin Thakare