The investigation of the seizure of a massive consignment of explosives in the Nagaur district of Rajasthan has been transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) after a 58-year-old man was arrested a day before the Republic Day. The shift comes as the recovery magnitudes and their severity remain a concern among the officials on Friday.
Suleman Khan had been previously arrested by the police on discovering approximately 9,550 kg of ammonium nitrate in his basement at the Thanvla district in Nagaur. His explosives were reported to be hidden in his farmland and contained 187 cartons of ammonium nitrate, nine cartons of detonators, 15 bundles of blue wick wire, and nine bundles of red wick wire, among other explosives.
Mridul Kachhwa, Nagaur Superintendent of Police, said that a team of the NIA had visited the district on January 27 to question the prime accused. Following the instructions of the Ministry of Home Affairs and depending on the seriousness of the case, the NIA officially assumed the investigation on Friday. He said that now agency will investigate thoroughly every bit of it.
The origin of the explosives is under investigation, as well as how the explosives were to be used, and the seizure is connected to any bigger system or criminal activity. The fact that the recovery is just before the Republic Day further increased the issue of security to be increased.
It was also found out by the police that there is a history of criminal activity on the part of the accused. There are at least three earlier cases of Suleman Khan registered in Thanvla and Padukallan of Nagaur district, and in Chaupasni of Alwar district. The cases have all been registered under the Explosives Act.
More research is being done with central agencies trying to establish the magnitude of the operation and potential security implications.
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