STF intercepts 1,000 kg explosives in Kolkata

Kolkata: The Special Task Force (STF) of Kolkata Police recovered 1000 kgs of explosive from a matador that was intercepted at the northern slope of Tala Bridge on BT Road under Chitpore police station area on Friday night. The sleuths arrested the driver and the helper of the vehicle that was coming from Balasore in Odisha and was headed towards North 24-Parganas.

The raid was carried out at around 12.20 am. The explosive substance that has been identified as ammonium nitrate was being carried in 27 pieces of gunny bags.

The arrested duo has been identified as Indrajit Bhui (25) of Melak village and Padmolochon Dey (31) of village Mathani under Basta police station in Balasore, Odisha. Bhui was the driver of the vehicle while Dey was the helper. The two were produced at Bankshall Court on Saturday and was remanded to police custody till March 23.

A source in the STF said the explosive racket was being run from West Midnapore district. The sleuths have learnt the names of two others in the district who are also involved in the racket.

"We are trying to identify the kingpin by grilling the two arrested persons and at the same time find out the motive behind transporting such huge amounts of explosives from the neighbouring district to Bengal," a senior STF officer said.

The vehicle that was intercepted was scheduled to travel to a remote area in North 24-Parganas through Dunlop and Barrackpore from Odisha.

The STF also sought permission from the court for sending the explosives for forensic examination which was approved.