More explosives seized in Gujarat (Third Lead)

GANDHINAGAR - In the second haul of explosives in Gujarat since Saturday, 100 kg of ammonium nitrate and 300 detonators were seized in the state’s Surendranagar district Sunday night, police said.

According to district Superintendent of Police Ashok Kumar, the material was seized near Limbdi during security checks of vehicles on the national highway.

“Some people have been arrested and their interrogation is on,” he added.

Earlier in another incident, a huge cache of explosives and detonators was seized in Valsad district Saturday night and four people were arrested, police said.

Officials, however, denied any terror angle to that seizure as the explosive material was procured from a licensed dealer but was being ferried illegally for quarrying.

A Special Operations Group in Valsad, bordering Maharashtra, seized 200 kg of ammonium nitrate, 600 detonators and 200 gelatine sticks from an autorickshaw heading towards Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The material was being transported from Vapi to Silvassa, the headquarters of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

Three people in a car accompanying the autorickshaw were arrested, a police officer added. One of them is a quarry owner.

Investigations led to the arrest of the licenced explosive dealer, K.Kiryani, for selling the explosives to those who were not authorized to purchase it. A policeman who is reported to have facilitated the illegal trans-border transportation is absconding.

A.K. Singh, the additional director general of police in charge of south Gujarat, Sunday ruled out any terror angle.