Packet suspected to be carrying explosives seized, sent to lab

Electric wires and a sealed packet, suspected to be carrying some explosive, were found in a bag at a private hostel in Ujjain, where the Simhastha-Kumbh mela is scheduled next month, police said today.
The packet has been sent to a chemical testing laboratory and the cyber crime branch has been roped in to investigate the matter, Inspector General of Police, Ujjain Range, B Madhukumar told PTI here.
Besides the bag, a mobile handset and some identity cards were also found in the room of Atishay Hostel situated near bus stand under Nankheda police station area here yesterday, he said.

The hostel owner got suspicious and informed police when the occupant of the room did not return after being out for hours.
Subsequently, the police swung into action last evening and found the bag, mobile phone handset and identity cards from the room during search, the IG said.
Madhukumar said that the room, according to the hostel records, was booked in the name of one Sazid, son of Wahid Khan, a resident of Agar-Malwa district.

The ID based on which the room was booked might be fake, he said.
The room was booked and occupied on March 18. The occupant left it after a while saying that he will return by around 10 PM. When he did not return till yesterday, the hostel owner got worried and informed the police.

Police suspect that someone might have played a mischief by intentionally leaving ID cards, wires, mobile phone handset and other things to create panic in Ujjain, ahead of the month-long Simhastha Kumbh beginning on April 22.
However, police are not taking any chances and are investigating the matter.
"We are analysing the recovery of stuff from all angles," the IG said.