About 250 kg. of explosive materials, suspected to be stockpiled by the Maoists, was recovered by security forces at Shirshi in the Lalgarh region of West Bengal's Paschim Medinipur district on Thursday.
Suspected Maoists opened fire at the security forces during the search operation but retreated when they retaliated.
The materials were found buried beside a canal inside a forest.
Among the cache was 200 kg. of ammonium nitrate, 50 kg. of sulphur and a gas cylinder. The police said these substances can be used for making high-intensity improvised explosive devices.
Superintendent of Police Manoj Kumar Verma told The Hindu over telephone on Friday that the raid followed a tip-off.
“The explosives will be soon sent to a forensic laboratory for chemical analysis,” Mr. Verma said.
The haul comes three days after the arrest of a top Maoist leader Venkatesh Reddy alias Deepak from the city.
Principal kidnapped
Meanwhile, suspected Maoists abducted a principal of a secondary school from the Khatra region of Bankura district during the day, according to SP Vishal Garg.
