Huge explosives cache seized from Malegaon

Mumbai, May 15 (UNI) The Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) jointly with Nashik Police has seized a large cache of weapons and explosives from an electrical shop in Malegaon near Nashik last evening.

The cache includes automatic rifles, magazines and hand-grenades, Maharashtra Director General of Police Dr P S Pasricha told a press conference here today.

Dr Pasricha said five boxes were seized during the raid which contained thirteen Kg of RDX, five AK-47 rifles, 20 magazines and 1000 rounds.

Owner of the shop, Abdullah, is currently being interrogated, the DGP said, adding that he could be arrested depending upon the outcome of the interogation and investigation.

The ATS had Saturday last arrested five suspects who were travelling in a car. Their interrogation had led the ATS to raid the electrical shop at Malegaon.

Dr Pasricha said investigations into the recent seizure of weapons and explosives were proceeding in the right direction. ''I am sure that the recent arrests and seizure of weapons and explosives in the State has been a major setback for the terrorist outfits and their masterminds,'' he said.

The DGP said the police are investigating from all directions since suspects are known to mislead police by making false statements.

Dr Pasricha said grenades are commonly used by insurgents in Kashmir and the grenades found here were possibly intended for use at religious places to scare people.

However, he said that only after completion of investigations can the police arrive at a conclusion regarding the exact destination of the seized consignment and designs of the arrested suspects.

In continued operations across the State, nine persons have so far been arrested and they include Dr Mohammed Sharif, Mohammed Amir, Syed Zubair, Mir Muzzafar Zamil Ahmed, Abdul Aziz, Mustaq Ahmed, Mohammed Jamel Ahmed, Afzal Khan and Riyaz Ahmed, Dr Pasricha said.

Speaking to UNI, Assistant Commissioner of Police Kisan Shenging said, ''Preliminary information indicates involvement of some groups in Beed district.'' Senior police inspector Vasant Tajne told UNI that the seized grenades were of Chinese origin and kept concealed in mango boxes.

UNI GVS MAZ LS DS1710