Bengal police seize huge explosives cache in Birbhum ahead of Independence day

A large quantity of explosives, including gelatin sticks and crude bombs, was seized during raids in various parts of West Bengal's Birbhum district ahead of Independence Day, a police officer said on Friday, Aug 14.

One person was arrested after 304 gelatin sticks were allegedly found at his house in Pathanpara area under Rampurhat police station limits, he said. In a separate operation, police seized around 38 kg of gelatin sticks from another area in the district, the official said.

During a night raid at Kot village in Mallarpur area, security personnel found four sacks containing crude bombs inside a mud house, he said. In another operation at Loknamara village under Nalhati police station limits, a huge quantity of explosive-making material, including ammonium nitrate and detonators, was found in an abandoned house.

The seizures come amid heightened security arrangements across West Bengal ahead of Independence Day on August 15. Further investigation is under way in connection with the seizures.