Nine live cartridges found in Paharganj

Nine live cartridges were found wrapped in a newspaper in a dustbin near a pan shop in the sensitive Paharganj area of central Delhi, which led to widespread panic in the area.

Nine live cartridges were found wrapped in a newspaper in a dustbin near a pan shop in the sensitive Paharganj area of central Delhi, which led to widespread panic in the area. The incident comes at a time when security agencies in the Capital are on high alert in view of third anniversary of the September 2008 serial blasts.

HT Image

“We have sent the live cartridges for forensic examination. There is a possibility that someone threw them out of fear as security has been increased,” said a senior police officer. The pan shop is located near Raveena Palace hotel, police said.

Sunil Sharma, a gym trainer who lives in Paharganj, discovered the cartridges. “He had gone to buy cigarettes. At 1:30pm, he saw some suspicious-looking objects in the dustbin and informed the police,” the officer added. A police team immediately rushed to spot and seized the cartridges.

Initial investigation suggests that the cartridges could belong to a SLR gun, which is used by paramilitary forces. “Every cartridge bears a serial number. We have sent the serial numbers to the concerned agency. By Wednesday, we would be able to trace their owner,” the officer said.

Police are now questioning Sharma to find out how he discovered the cartridges.