Cops land explosives haul in Maoist den

The police today claimed another breakthrough with a major explosives haul after a fierce gunbattle last night with Maoists in Sirshibani and Chandiwal forests,15 km from Midnapore town.

It was a huge explosives haul of about 250 kg that could have been converted into over 200 bombs, said a senior police officer.

West Midanpore SP Manoj Verma said more than 200 kg of ammonia nitrate,potassium nitrate and gun powder were found dumped in bags near a canal. The police also seized cylinders used in motor-bike,Verma said,adding the material was enough for 200 landmines or improvised explosive devices.

According to police,a patrol of joint forces came under fire from 20-25 armed Maoists in Sirshibani forests,triggering a night-long gunbattle.

Senior police officers said Maoists usually source explosives from the mining areas along the Bengal-Jharkhand border and they are trying to trace the route used to ferry these material.

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