Rajasthan: Tonk police arrest two, seize 150 kg explosives ahead of New Year celebrations

A massive haul of 150 kg of explosives, along with 200 cartridges and six bundles of safety fuse wire, was seized from a car, police said on Wednesday.

Two people have been arrested, and preliminary investigations suggest that the explosives were intended for blasting at illegal mining sites in the Aravallis.

Further investigation is underway to ascertain the source, destination, intended use, and possible links of the seized material. The accused have been identified as Surendra Patwa and Surendra Mochi, both residents of Bundi district.

DSP Tonk City Mrityunjay Mishra said the accused were transporting the explosives from Bundi to Tonk. While patrolling on National Highway-52 (Tonk-Jaipur), the accused claimed they were carrying fertiliser for agricultural purposes in sacks. However, on inspection, ammonium nitrate was found instead.

In addition to ammonium nitrate, the police seized 200 cartridges and six bundles of safety fuse wire, measuring approximately 1,100 metres. The car used for transporting the material was also seized. Mishra said the operation was carried out promptly after receiving specific intelligence inputs.

The large-scale seizure on New Year's Eve caused panic in the region ahead of festivities.

Ammonium nitrate, the main ingredient in industrial explosives for blasting rock in open-pit mines and quarries, is strictly regulated due to its high energy potential. It is often used legally in controlled blasting for mining under strict standards for storage, handling, and transportation.