West Bengal Police on Wednesday, 29 July recovered a large cache of smuggled explosives from a rented house in Lakhnamara village, Nalhati Block, Birbhum district, following a nightlong operation that began on Tuesday evening. The seizure — which included 800 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, 12,400 gelatin sticks, 105 detonators, and 36 detonating fuse coils — has prompted investigators to examine whether an organised smuggling racket is operating in the region.

How the Operation Unfolded

Police received a tip-off that large quantities of explosives were being stored at a private residence in Lakhnamara village, a locality within Nalhati — a well-known stone-quarry hub in Birbhum. Officers launched the search late on Tuesday night, eventually locating the material in a concealed space in the backyard of the house. Personnel from the bomb squad were immediately deployed, and the entire area was cordoned off as a precautionary measure.

The scale of the cache reportedly took even the police personnel by surprise. All recovered items were examined and subsequently confiscated.

What Was Seized

The total haul comprised:

800 kg of ammonium nitrate, 12,400 gelatin sticks, 105 detonators, 36 detonating fuse coils, and several other explosive-related accessories. Ammonium nitrate, a fertiliser-grade chemical, is a regulated substance in India owing to its potential for misuse in improvised explosive devices.

Investigation Under Way

'We are also investigating whether the explosives were stockpiled for use at the local stone quarries or if there was any sabotage plan behind it,' an investigating officer said.

Initial findings indicate the house had been rented out only recently. The tenant is currently absconding, and police are actively trying to trace the individual. The owner of the property is being questioned. Investigators are also mapping the source, supply chain, and intended use of the explosives.

Second Major Seizure in Nalhati in a Week

This is the second significant explosives recovery from the Nalhati area within a week. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) last week conducted a raid in the same locality and recovered 20 bags of ammonium nitrate along with multiple detonators, arresting one suspect in connection with that case. The back-to-back recoveries have raised serious questions about the extent of illegal explosives storage in the region.

The Birbhum District Police stated that such operations will continue as part of its 'zero tolerance for crime' policy aimed at suppressing crime and maintaining law and order in the district.

With a fugitive tenant still at large and the supply network unidentified, investigators are expected to widen the probe in the coming days.