Lucknow, Dec 10 (Inditop.com) Panic gripped an Uttar Pradesh hospital Thursday after a bomb was recovered from its premises, police said.

A packet containing gunpowder, splinters, metallic pieces and a glass bottle filled with a pungent smelling liquid, was found near the operation theatre of the women’s hospital in Sitapur, some 80 km from Lucknow.

“Soon after getting the information about the bomb, we rushed to the hospital and managed to defuse it,” Deputy Superintendent of Police Shishupal Singh told reporters.

“A team of anti-terrorist squad (ATS) would soon be reaching the hospital. The ATS sleuths would ascertain the intensity of the bomb,” he added.

Following the recovery of the bomb, a massive search operation is underway in the hospital, where hundreds of patients come daily.

“Some staff members have also been detained to ascertain who placed the bomb,” said Singh.