Pune police seize weapons and country-made explosives

The Pune police have recovered 40 country-made explosives and arrested two Madhya Pradesh-based criminals, sparking a fresh wave of fear in the city where the German Bakery blast and a string of subsequent low-intensity explosions have cast a long shadow over peace.

Acting on a tip-off from a resident in Mundhwa, the Pune police nabbed Chintu Rajput (25) and Sangram Rajput (30), natives of Katni district in Madhya Pradesh, in the early hours of Wednesday and recovered handmade explosive balls, slingshots and sharp weapons from their suspected hideout in the Hadapsar area.

Spreading terror

According to sources, the intention of the duo, part of a gang, was to commit armed robberies using explosives to spread terror and confusion.

The modus operandi apparently was to sling the explosives at bungalows and shops the gang intended to rob.

Lethal potential

“The explosive balls have the potential to cause death if it hits a person directly. They are made of fire-cracker powder and stones and held together by a thread,” said Manoj Patil, Deputy Commissioner of Police of Zone IV.

The accused have been booked under the Arms Act while a city court has remanded them in police custody for further investigation. A hunt is on for their accomplices.

The gang’s modus operandi was to sling explosives at bungalows and shops it intended to burgle