Explosives seized near Indo-Nepal border

Kharibari (West Bengal), June 7 : Security forces in Siliguri arrested a man with explosives on Friday barely a week after the seizure of a huge cache of explosives in the same region.

Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) intercepted Bhabendra Subba, a forty-eight year old resident of Nepal after a tip off when he was trying to smuggle explosive powders and gelatin sticks to Nepal.

"On Friday we nabbed a man who was trying to cross over to the other side of the border and smuggle explosives to Nepal. His bag had shells on the top but when we searched the bag, we found explosives," said S. L. Sarkar, Commandant SSB.

According to the police Subba, who has not yet been linked to any militant group was later handed over to Kharibari police station.

The nature of explosives and the motive behind the smuggling is yet to be confirmed by the officials.

Earlier, in the last week of May, in a major breakthrough, officials nabbed a man with highly explosive materials, believed to be RDX near the Indo-Nepal border.

Following the incidents of smuggling across the border, security personnel in the area are on a high alert.

The porous border between India and Nepal has become a source of worry to the authorities, with smugglers taking advantage of the difficult terrain.

India and Nepal share a 1,400-kilometre open border without enough checking points to prevent smuggling.

The Mechi River, which flows along the border with Nepal, is also a conduit of smuggling goods.

ANI