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A day after terror struck Pune, a huge cache of explosives was today seized from Valsad district of Gujarat and four persons were arrested in this connection.
The explosives, including 200 kg of ammonium nitrate, 600 detonators and 200 gelatin sticks, were recovered from the accused in two separate cases in Vapi area of the district, police said.
In the first incident, Barjees Mirza (43) was intercepted by Valsad special operations group while he was proceeding in his car towards Vapi Industrial region, they said.
On searching the car, police recovered 100 kg of explosive substance ammonium nitrate (two bags of 50 kg each), 500 detonators and 200 gelatin sticks. He was arrested.
In another incident, 100 kg of ammonium nitrate (filled in two bags of 50 kg each) and 100 detonators were recovered when an auto-rickshaw was searched near Aditya Birla cross roads in Vapi town, police said.
According to police, driver Rajkishore Gupta (37) and the person who had bought the explosives, Ganesh Dadav (25), were taken into custody.
On interrogation of the trio it was found that they had purchased the explosive from one Kiran Kakani in Vapi town, who was also arrested, they said.
Police said Mirza was involved in illegal mining in Valsad district and has bought the explosives for his business purpose.
Dadav and Gupta were also involved in similar trade and were taking the explosive to mining sites. The trio have been booked under the Explosive substance Act and further investigation is on, they said.
Police said Kakani was being questioned with regard to his trade in explosive substances. The car belonging to Mirza and the auto-rickshaw have been seized by the SOG.
Following the Pune blast, security arrangements have been beefed up and thorough checking of all vehicles coming and leaving the district was on, they said.
In the first major attack since 26/11 carnage, terror struck Pune last night as a powerful bomb ripped apart a popular bakery near a Jewish prayer house, killing nine people and injuring 57, including foreigners.