Kolkata, 22 October (H.S.) :

A massive recovery of explosives and banned chemicals from a car in Duttapukur, North 24 Parganas, has sparked widespread alarm across the district. Following the seizure on Wednesday night, local police, accompanied by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), National Security Guard (NSG), and forensic experts, launched an intensive search operation in the area. Investigating agencies are thoroughly probing the possibility of a major terror or subversive plot behind the stockpiling of these dangerous materials. In connection with the incident, the police have arrested a local bike showroom owner, identified as Rakibul Islam, and have initiated a rigorous interrogation.

According to Police and Special Task Force (STF) sources, intelligence inputs had already flagged a suspicious vehicle in the Tetultala area of Duttapukur. Acting on this concrete information, security agencies placed the car under covert surveillance. The operation culminated on Wednesday night when the vehicle was intercepted, leading to Rakibul's detention and subsequent intense questioning. Preliminary assessments by investigators suggest that the explosives and restricted chemicals were planned to be transported toward Kolkata. However, the exact destination within the city and the specific motive behind this alarming transit remain subjects of ongoing investigation.

Police sources further revealed that the materials recovered from the car include suspected explosive substances and iron meshes. To accurately determine the nature, intensity, and potential lethality of the seized items, samples are being sent for advanced forensic testing. The NIA is expected to produce Rakibul in court on Thursday to seek his custodial remand for deeper interrogation. Investigators are currently focused on tracing the origin of these deadly explosives, identifying the masterminds directing the smuggling operation, and unearthing other potential members of this illicit network. Commenting on the development, Barasat Police District Superintendent of Police (SP) M. Mercy stated that a rigorous probe is underway and scientific examinations are being conducted to identify the exact chemical composition of the explosives. She confirmed the arrest of the primary accused and noted that the complete picture will emerge only as the investigation advances.

Background checks on the arrested accused reveal that Rakibul transitioned from a car repair business to opening a bike showroom approximately a decade ago. He currently owns four large bike showrooms across various locations, including Tetultala and Bira in Duttapukur, as well as Berachampa in Deganga. Sources also highlighted a startling coincidence: a mysterious explosion had occurred at a bike showroom in Amdanga a few years ago, which was also owned by Rakibul. Investigating agencies are now delving into potential linkages between the previous Amdanga blast and the current recovery of explosives.

Meanwhile, local residents informed authorities that the suspicious vehicle had been parked in an abandoned state near a showroom on Tetultala Road for the past two days before the raid.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh