Rajkot Crime Branch seized a large explosives consignment from a Bolero on the Rajkot-Gondal Highway. The recovery, made five days before Independence Day, has widened the probe into its source and intended use.
A huge consignment of explosives has been seized in Gujarat days before August 15, with the Rajkot Crime Branch recovering 12,000 gelatin sticks weighing 1,500 kg, 4,000 detonators and 30 bundles of blasting wire from a vehicle on a highway.
The seizure was made five days before Independence Day in the Kotharia Solvent area on the Rajkot-Gondal Highway. Police arrested the driver of the Bolero carrying the material and launched a search for two others allegedly linked to the supply and intended delivery of the explosives.
The seized material has been valued at Rs 5.95 lakh.
1,500 KG OF GELATIN STICKS SEIZED
Rajkot DCP Jagdish Bangarva said the Crime Branch stopped a Bolero near Shiv Hotel in the Kotharia Solvent area and searched the vehicle.
The driver identified himself as Dola Mir, following which police arrested him and seized the explosives.
The haul included 12,000 gelatin sticks weighing 1,500 kg and valued at Rs 2.40 lakh, 30 bundles of blasting wire worth Rs 15,000 and 4,000 explosive detonators valued at Rs 40,000.
Police said the total value of the seized material was Rs 5.95 lakh.
The material was being transported without any licence or documentary proof authorising its possession or movement, according to police.
A case has been registered and further legal action has been initiated.
ACCUSED NAMES SUPPLIER, RECEIVER
During questioning, Mir allegedly told police that he had obtained the explosive material from a man named Mitul, who lives in Mendarda.
He allegedly said he was taking the consignment to Hirabhai alias Hiren Algotar, who lives in Jamwadi in Thangadh taluka of Gujarat’s Surendranagar district.
Following the information provided during interrogation, police have launched a search for both the alleged supplier and the intended receiver.
The two are currently absconding, police said.
EXPLOSIVES ALLEGEDLY MEANT FOR MINING
Police have learnt that the explosives were allegedly procured for mining work by Hiren alias Hiren Algotar.
However, the sheer quantity of material recovered has prompted the Crime Branch to investigate the matter in greater detail.
The police are examining where the explosives came from, who arranged their supply and why such a large quantity was being transported without the required licence or documents.
The investigation is also focused on the role of the two people who have not yet been traced.
