A huge cache of explosives, including 17 gelatin boxes containing 4,000 detonators, were seized from a house in Madhya Pradesh's Ashok Nagar district, police said on Monday.
The 425 kg of explosives were seized during a raid at the house of Rajendra Singh alias Mama Thakur in the district's Chanderi Nagar.
About 500 bottles of country made liquor were also seized and the main accused is absconding.
"Acting on a tip off, the police team conducted a raid late Sunday. Besides the explosives, four exploders, an assembly of batteries and other equipment were also recovered," said Deputy Inspector General of Police Adarsh Katiyar.
He said the gelatin rods were hidden in 17 boxes, 15 of which bear the stamp of a Nagpur-based explosives company and the rest carry symbols of a Kolkata-based company. Katiyar added that the explosives may have been brought for illegal mining operations in the area.
The issue of illegal mining has been raised several times with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress members accusing each other of protecting the culprits.
Explosives used for mining purposes have been seized from the district several times in the past as well.
{{/usCountry}}Explosives used for mining purposes have been seized from the district several times in the past as well.
{{/usCountry}}In this case, the explosives were allegedly brought from Lalitpur district of neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, said police officials.
In January, two people were arrested with 550 kg of explosives and 44 electronic detonators near the district's Bhadon village.
A case haS been registered against Rajendra Singh and his brother Jitendra under the Explosives Act and the Excise Act.