A viral message circulating on social media platforms warns people not to pick up pen-like objects found on roadsides, claiming they are “pen bombs” that can explode when opened or clicked. However, our investigation found that the images are being misrepresented and there is no evidence that the pens shown in the viral posts are explosive devices.
Social Media Post
Viral video features these pens with the caption “Looks like a pen but it’s actually a mini bomb and if found do not pick and press the top button it’ll harm you. Share as much as you can.”
Fact Check
The Pens in the Viral Image Are Commercially Sold Novelty Pens
A reverse image search shows that the pens featured in the viral posts are not explosive devices.
The same photograph appears in listings from an Etsy shop called PenTradition, where the items are marketed as military-themed handmade novelty pens. The products are designed to resemble grenades or military equipment but are sold as ordinary writing instruments.
Further verification shows that the object in the viral image matches a commercially available product known as the “Grenade Click Pen Kit” sold by Penn State Industries, a U.S.-based woodworking and pen-making supplier. The company’s official assembly instructions identify the item as a novelty click pen that uses standard Parker-style ink refills and is designed to resemble a hand grenade for decorative purposes.
The product documentation includes detailed instructions for assembling the pen, including the refill, spring, plunger, and click-release mechanism, demonstrating that the object is a functional writing instrument rather than an explosive device.
The assembly guide identifies the visible lever and internal spring as components of the pen’s click mechanism used to extend and retract the ink refill. Nothing in the manufacturer documentation suggests the presence of detonators, percussion caps, batteries, or explosive materials.
No Evidence Supports the “Pen Bomb” Story
The viral message provides no verifiable evidence that such devices are being scattered on roads or used in attacks. Despite widespread sharing, no official police reports, court records, bomb squad investigations, or credible news reports have documented incidents matching the scenario described in the message.
The technical explanation included in the posts, involving springs, percussion caps, detonators, and hidden batteries, is presented without any supporting evidence and appears to be speculative.
Part of the confusion appears to stem from social media posts that falsely attributed the warning to police in Bulandshahr district, Uttar Pradesh. In response, Bulandshahr Police issued a clarification confirming that no such warning had been released by the department.
The Injury Photographs Are Unrelated
The graphic photographs shared alongside the warning do not provide evidence that a pen-shaped explosive device was involved. A report from Asianet Suvarna News stated that at least some of the images originated from unrelated incidents and were later repurposed to support the viral narrative. There is no verified connection between the injured individuals shown and the alleged “pen bomb” incidents.
In accordance with standard safety protocols, unidentified or suspicious objects found in public spaces should not be handled by unauthorized individuals. Security guidelines suggest maintaining a safe perimeter and reporting such items to local authorities for professional assessment.
Conclusion
The viral message claiming that grenade-shaped “pen bombs” are being scattered on roads is false and not supported by evidence. The pens shown in the widely shared image are commercially sold novelty pens, not proven explosive devices. The injury photographs used to support the claim are unrelated, and there is no verified evidence that the incidents described in the posts actually occurred. While people should always avoid handling suspicious objects and report them to authorities, the viral message exaggerates the threat and presents misleading imagery as proof.
