Huge haul of explosives seized in Chhattisgarh

Raipur, July 29: A huge haul of explosives, including 1,838 gelatin sticks and 150 kg of ammonium nitrate, suspected to be meant for delivery to Naxals during their ongoing 'martyrs week', was today seized from Chhattisgarh's insurgency-hit Bastar district.

Two persons were also arrested with the cache, police said. The recovery was made from the forests near Nagarnar police station area on Chhattisgarh-Odisha border, Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range SRP Kalluri said.

Acting on a tip-off about the presence of two suspects with a consignment near Dhanpunji railway crossing, located around 400 kms away from here in Nagarnar area, security forces were rushed to the spot last evening, he said.

During the search, two separate bags, filled with 1250 pieces of electronic detonators, were found from their possession following which the two were arrested, the IG said. The duo have been identified as Niranjan Das and Durjati Mahangkodo, natives of Koraput district in Odisha.

"The arrested admitted that they supplied explosives and other related materials to Naxal commander Vinod in Chandameta area," the IG said.

According to the duo, they had recently struck a deal with Vinod to supply detonators, ammonium nitrate and explosives during the Martyrs’s week being observed from July 28 till August 3 by rebels, he said.

Subsequently, they revealed about a dump of explosives, which was to be transported to ultras, in Machkot forests on Chhattisgarh-Odisha border.

Based on this, 1838 gelatin rods, three bags of ammonium nitrate (150 kg), 397 special ordinary detonators and three bundles safety fuse wire were seized from the region, he added.

A case has been registered in this regard and further probe was on, the IG said. Notably, Bastar Police in September last year had recovered a huge haul of explosives including 1,000 kg of ammonium nitrate and 750 kg gelatin, which was being supplied to Bastar from Odisha for naxals.

PTI