NIA seeks copy of FIR, details of persons held

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has asked for details in the seizure of the biggest cache of explosives and detonators meant for Maoists in Bihar and Jharkhand, on Friday.

It has requisitioned for a copy of an FIR, recovery memos, photographs, addresses and other details of the six persons arrested on Thursday. The NIA had been assisting the UP ATS with the investigation indirectly for about a month.

Uttar Pradesh ATS on Thursday had recovered 30,000 detonators, 20,000 gelatin sticks, 600 kg of ammonium nitrate in Kanpur. While 92 bags of ammonium nitrate, 20 bags of gelatin aticks, roughly 6000 of DTH, electronic and simple detonators were seized in Moth Jalaun.

They were being routed to Maoists in Bihar and Jharkhand via Kanpur and surrounding areas. The arrested persons revealed that the explosives were to be delivered to Om Prakash Chowdhary and Akshayvar Mahto of Sasaram, Bihar. Both of them are known suppliers of explosives to Maoists. At present both Chowdhary and Mahto were wanted in case 816/16 registered at Mofussil police station in Sasaram.

Their name had figured following the arrest of Maoists area commander Sameer alias Mohit in Sasaram. Mohit was associated with Maoist wing Tritiya Prastutikaran Committee and was a pointsman for Chowdhary and Mahto.

Meanwhile, Bihar police have confirmed that the duo were securing explosives for Maoists in the region. UP ATS have also been conducting raids at various locations in Sasaram.

“It is nearly established the explosives were for Maoists. ATS has some more names other than these two to build a chain of end users,” said a senior officer.

To recall, a previous consignment of explosives and detonators were delivered close to West Bengal, which is considered a hotbed of militants from Bangladesh.

“Bangladesh angle is being explored since there is a possibility of detonators and ammonium nitrate being routed to the neighbouring country,” said the officer.