Tonk foils New Year bomb threat

There was a big security scare on New Year’s Eve when an explosives-laden car with 150 kg of illegal ammonium nitrate and 200 explosive cartridges and six bundles of safety fuse wire (approximately 1,100 metres) was seized in Tonk. Two people were arrested.

Ammonium nitrate was used in triggering a blast near the Red Fort last month, killing 15 people. An assessment of the blast site had revealed that the suicide bomber, Umar Nabi, may have assembled the improvised explosive device (IED)causing the explosion.

As regards the latest seizure, the police said in Tonk on Wednesday, a massive haul of 150 kg of explosives, along with 200 cartridges and six bundles of safety fuse wire, was recovered from a car. The police said two people were arrested, adding that preliminary investigation suggested that the explosives were meant for blasting at illegal mining sites in the Aravallis. Further investigation is underway to ascertain the source, destination, intended use and possible links of the seized explosive material, they said. The accused have been identified as Surendra Patwa and Surendra Mochi, both residents of Bundi district, the police said.

 DSP Tonk City Mrityunjay Mishra said the accused were transporting the explosive material from Bundi to Tonk.

During patrolling on the national highway-52 (Tonk-Jaipur), the accused told police they were carrying fertiliser for agricultural purposes in sacks. However, on inspection, ammonium nitrate was found instead, the DSP said.

 In addition to ammonium nitrate, the police seized 200 cartridges and six bundles of safety fuse wire, measuring approximately 1,100 metres. The car used for transporting the material was also seized, the police said. Mishra said the operation was carried out promptly after receiving specific intelligence inputs. The large-scale seizure on New Year’s Eve in the region created panic ahead of festivities. Ammonium nitrate serves as the main ingredient in industrial explosives for blasting rock in open-pit mines, quarries, etc. Because of its high energy potential, the substance is strictly regulated, with strict standards for storage, handling, and transportation.

It is often used legally in controlled blasting for mining.