Kolkata, July 25 (IANS) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday recovered a large cache of explosives, including 20 bags of ammonium nitrate and multiple detonators, during a raid in the Nalhati area of West Bengal’s Birbhum district, and arrested one suspect in connection with the case, officials said. The recovery of this large quantity of explosives has created a stir in the entire area.Acting on specific intelligence inputs about the alleged stockpiling of explosives, an NIA team conducted a search operation in Nalhati with assistance from the local police. During the raid, investigators recovered 20 bags of ammonium nitrate and multiple detonators and detained a suspect whose statements were found to be inconsistent during preliminary questioning. His identity has not been disclosed yet.

The investigators are interrogating the arrested person to find out who had stored the explosives, where the material was brought from, and for what purpose it was stored.The NIA is also investigating whether the recovered explosives were stored for commercial use or if there is a plan for a major sabotage behind it. It is also reported that the recovered ammonium nitrate and the detonator may be sent for forensic examination.Ammonium nitrate is mainly used as an ingredient in making explosives, fertilisers, mining, or construction. However, the discovery of a large quantity of the chemical stored with detonators has strengthened investigators' suspicion.

Initially, they believed that the explosive was planned to be used in some criminal or sabotage activity. However, the investigators are probing how accurate this suspicion is.Meanwhile, security has been tightened in Nalhati and adjoining areas after the incident. The NIA has not yet given any further details for the sake of investigation. The arrested person is being interrogated continuously. He has mentioned several names after which a search has been launched for them.The arrested person will be produced before the special court of the NIA. In addition, authorities are making efforts to find out who else is involved by investigating the source of the recovered material.According to the investigators, more important information may come to light from this operation.

/IANS