Explosives-laden car seized in Bengal's Duttapukur, owner Rakibul Islam detained
Synopsis
An explosives-laden car intercepted on Vijaya Dashami night near the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal's Duttapukur has triggered a rare multi-agency response — NIA, STF, NSG, and Bomb Disposal Squad all at one spot. Owner Rakibul Islam, a former mechanic with a reportedly rapid rise in wealth, is in custody as investigators probe possible foreign links.
Key Takeaways
West Bengal Police seized an explosives-loaded car on Jessore Road, Duttapukur , North 24 Parganas , late Wednesday night during Vijaya Dashami .
Vehicle owner Rakibul Islam has been detained; he has reportedly denied owning the explosives.
Three agencies — STF , NIA , and Bomb Disposal Squad — plus the state NSG unit were deployed at the scene.
The seizure site is reportedly close to the India-Bangladesh border , raising suspicion of possible foreign links.
Islam's two mobile phones and a laptop have been seized for forensic examination; his family has also been questioned.
Minister Dilip Ghosh linked the incident to alleged laxity under the previous TMC government.
West Bengal Police seized a car loaded with explosives from Jessore Road in the Duttapukur area of North 24 Parganas district late on Wednesday night, officials confirmed on Thursday. The vehicle's owner, Rakibul Islam, has been detained and is being questioned. The seizure, made on the night of Vijaya Dashami, has triggered a multi-agency security response and spread panic across the region.
Multi-Agency Response at the Scene
Given the gravity of the find, three central and state agencies were scrambled to the site: the Special Task Force (STF), the National Investigation Agency (NIA), and the Bomb Disposal Squad. The state unit of the National Security Guard (NSG) also deployed personnel, who have reportedly surrounded the spot since the night of the seizure. The explosives recovered from the vehicle have been sent for forensic examination, according to sources familiar with the developments.
Proximity to India-Bangladesh Border Raises Foreign Link Suspicion
According to police sources, the location where the explosives-laden car was intercepted is in close proximity to the India-Bangladesh border. Investigators are reportedly examining the possibility of foreign links behind the incident. Sources indicated the vehicle was headed towards Kolkata at the time of its seizure. Authorities are also investigating where the gunpowder and explosives were ultimately destined, particularly given the timing during the festive season.
Who Is Rakibul Islam
Rakibul Islam, the detained car owner, reportedly began his career as a motor mechanic before experiencing what sources describe as a rapid rise in financial fortune during the previous Mamata Banerjee-led All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) government. He subsequently acquired a car showroom and two houses, both described as luxurious. Investigators visited Islam's residence and questioned his family members, also confiscating his two mobile phones and a laptop for forensic analysis. Islam has reportedly denied ownership of the explosives-loaded vehicle during interrogation.
Political Reactions
State Panchayat Affairs and Rural Development Minister Dilip Ghosh addressed media persons on Thursday, alleging that under the previous Trinamool Congress government, 'miscreants freely moved around bringing explosives within the state.' He added: 'But now a nationalist government is there in the state, and hence actions are being taken against these elements.' The remarks drew an immediate political dimension to what investigators are treating primarily as a security matter.
Investigation Ongoing
Authorities are working to establish the origin, destination, and purpose of the explosives, and whether any digital evidence recovered from Islam's devices points to a wider network. With multiple agencies now involved and forensic results awaited, the investigation is expected to deepen significantly in the coming days.
Point of View
STF, NSG, and Bomb Disposal Squad signals that investigators believe this is either a terror-linked or cross-border smuggling operation, not a local firecracker haul. The proximity to the India-Bangladesh border is the most consequential detail in this story — one that the political noise around the previous TMC government risks obscuring. Islam's reported meteoric wealth rise warrants scrutiny on its own terms, independent of the partisan framing Minister Ghosh has introduced. If forensic results and digital evidence confirm an organised network, this could become a significant national security case with implications for eastern border surveillance protocols.
NationPress
22 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was seized in Duttapukur, West Bengal?
West Bengal Police seized a car loaded with explosives from Jessore Road in the Duttapukur area of North 24 Parganas district late on Wednesday night. The explosives have been sent for forensic examination, and the vehicle's owner, Rakibul Islam, has been detained.
Who is Rakibul Islam, the detained car owner?
Rakibul Islam is the owner of the intercepted vehicle, a car showroom, and two houses. He reportedly started as a motor mechanic and is said to have seen a rapid rise in financial fortune during the previous TMC government. Islam has denied ownership of the explosives during interrogation.
Why is the NIA involved in the Duttapukur explosives case?
The National Investigation Agency was called in given the seriousness of the find and its proximity to the India-Bangladesh border, which has raised suspicion of possible foreign links. The STF and NSG have also been deployed alongside the Bomb Disposal Squad.
Could there be a cross-border angle to the Duttapukur explosives seizure?
Police sources indicate the seizure point is close to the India-Bangladesh border, and investigators are examining a possible foreign connection. The car was reportedly heading towards Kolkata at the time of interception, but its ultimate destination and origin of the explosives are still under investigation.
What is the political reaction to the Duttapukur explosives seizure?
State minister Dilip Ghosh claimed that under the previous Trinamool Congress government, miscreants moved explosives freely, and said the current government is taking action against such elements. The TMC has not issued an immediate official response to his remarks.
