Huge explosive haul from Maoist den in West Bengal

Kolkata, March 5 : Nearly 250-kg explosives were recovered from a Maoist den in West Bengal's West Midnapore district Friday, police said.

"Acting on a tip off, we carried out an operation and recovered about 250-kg of explosive from Shirshi area in the district," state Inspector General of Police (Western range) Zulfiqar Husan told IANS.

Asked about the character of the explosives, he said: "We mainly recovered ammonium nitrate, gun powder and a gas cylinder from that area. These things are mainly used by the Maoists for making high-intensity landmines."

Police sources said the explosives were recovered near the residence of a villager Gajen Mahato in a forest-covered belt.

"We will send all these items to laboratories for further test," Husan said.

He said the police and joint forces' personnel had also opened fire at the Maoist ultras this (Friday) morning while carrying the operation in Shirshi.