Haul of explosives recovered in Bastar

A huge haul of explosives weighing 1,750 kgs, suspected to be delivered to naxals, was seized from two separate places in insurgency-hit Bastar district today, police said.
Seven persons have been arrested in this connection, they said.
Two consignments of explosives, including 1,000 kg of ammonium nitrate and 750 kg gelatin, were recovered from two different places in the district, Bastar Superintendent of Police Ajay Yadav told PTI.
On a tip-off about the supply of a large consignment of explosives from Odisha to Bastar, a police team intercepted an SUV and another vehicle near Dispur village under Darbha police station limits, Yadav said.

During their checking, bags of gelatin weighing around 750 kg were seized, he said.
Subsequently, another stock of explosives (ammonium nitrate in nature) weighing around 1000 kg was seized from a hut in forests between Machkot and Tiriya villages under Nagarnar police station limits, the SP said.

Prima facie it appears that the illegally transported and stocked explosives were meant for naxals, the SP said.
However, investigations are on keeping in view every angle, he added.
Seven persons have been arrested so far in connection with seizure while an SUV, a car and a motorcycle were also seized from them, he said, adding that their interrogation may reveal crucial details about the supply of arms and ammunition in the naxal-affected region, he said.

Cases have been registered in this regard, the SP added.