Synopsis
A significant recovery of explosives was made from a truck in Rampurhat, Bengal's Birbhum district, where police seized 16,000 kg of ammonium nitrate. The driver was unable to provide documentation, prompting an investigation into potential insurgent intentions.Key Takeaways
- 16,000 kg of ammonium nitrate recovered.
- Truck was en route from Telangana to Jharkhand.
- Three individuals detained for questioning.
- Investigation initiated for insurgency links.
- Previous explosive recoveries in the region noted.
Kolkata, Feb 11 (NationPress) A substantial amount of explosives was seized from a truck in the Rampurhat region of Bengal's Birbhum district on Tuesday morning.
The explosives were found during the police's intervention, leading to the recovery of 16,000 kilograms of ammonium nitrate.
According to a district police representative, the truck was loaded with 320 sacks, each containing 50 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, culminating in the significant recovery.
Three individuals, including the driver and his assistant, have been detained for questioning at the Rampurhat Police Station.
The district police official mentioned that the driver failed to present any valid documentation for transporting such a vast quantity of ammonium nitrate. Additionally, several inconsistencies were noted in the driver’s statements during the initial and on-site inquiries.
Reports indicate that the truck originated from Sangareddy district in Telangana and was headed to Deoghar in Jharkhand. Sources from the district police stated that the volume of explosives seized could potentially impact a large area.
Authorities have commenced an inquiry into whether this substantial amount of ammonium nitrate was being transported for any insurgent purpose.
Last month, the West Bengal Police discovered 20,000 detonators and 15,000 gelatin sticks in an abandoned house situated in a forested region of Rampurhat.
Recoveries of illegal detonators and gelatin sticks are prevalent in the Birbhum district due to numerous stone quarries that utilize such explosives for blasting.
To recall, substantial explosives were retrieved, including 81,000 detonators, 27 kg of ammonium nitrate, and 1,925 kilograms of gelatin sticks, in the Muhammadbazar area of Birbhum district on June 30, 2022.
This cache was confiscated by the Special Task Force (STF) of the state police.
The National Investigation Agency took over the investigation on September 29 of the same year and filed a chargesheet within 90 days of the investigation's initiation.
The NIA apprehended several influential Trinamool Congress leaders and local business figures from the Birbhum district in connection with this case.
