Massive haul of commercial explosives intercepted on Rajkot outskirts
In a pre-Independence Day security operation, the Rajkot Crime Branch on Sunday intercepted a pickup truck on the Rajkot–Gondal Highway and seized a substantial consignment of commercial explosives, police said. Officers detained the vehicle driver and called in specialist teams to secure and examine the hazardous material.
Acting on specific intelligence about an illicit consignment moving across Saurashtra, Crime Branch teams lay in wait near Kothariya Solvent, opposite Shiv Hotel, and stopped a Mahindra Bolero pickup bearing registration GJ-03-BV-1411. A subsequent search uncovered a large quantity of explosive components hidden beneath ordinary gunny sacks, the police reported.
- 12,000 gelatin sticks — estimated total weight ~1,500 kg
- 4,222 explosive detonators
- 30 bundles of blasting wire
Officials said the seizure, together with the transport vehicle, is valued at about ₹5.95 lakh. The Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) and experts from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) were summoned to the scene to secure the load and carry out scientific examination.
Driver arrested, wider supply chain under probe
The driver was arrested on the spot and identified as Dola Raghu Meer, also known locally as Dolabhai Bharwad. Initial questioning indicated the explosives were being transported as part of a broader illicit supply network operating across multiple districts in Gujarat.
Police reports identified two other individuals linked to the consignment:
- Mitul of Manavadar — alleged supplier who packed and loaded the explosives onto the pickup.
- Hira, alias Hiren Viththal Algotar of Jamwadi, Thangadh — identified as the intended receiver who had hired the driver to move the material from Junagadh district.
Police said the arrested driver disclosed a supply chain that spans multiple districts, prompting manhunts in Junagadh and Surendranagar to apprehend other suspects.
Both Mitul and Algotar were reported to have evaded immediate capture, and multi-district searches are underway as the Crime Branch seeks to dismantle the network. Officials indicated that follow-up enquiries will probe destinations and end-users of the explosives.
Quarrying link and public-safety implications
Preliminary interrogation suggested the consignment may have been destined for quarrying activity in Surendranagar, the police said. If confirmed, the seizure raises regulatory and safety concerns for mining operations in the region as well as the potential misuse of commercial-grade explosives.
The involvement of BDDS and the FSL underscores the hazardous nature of the materials and the priority accorded to forensic examination and safe handling. Police teams are expected to file charges under statutes governing unlawful possession and transport of explosive materials as the investigation progresses.
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Gelatin sticks | 12,000 (≈1,500 kg) |
| Explosive detonators | 4,222 |
| Blasting wire | 30 bundles |
Local residents and road users near the interception site were briefly diverted while specialist teams secured the load and conducted examinations. No injuries were reported in the operation.
Authorities said the seizure is part of stepped-up vigilance ahead of national celebrations and will be followed by focussed action against those involved in unlawful supply chains that transport regulated explosives across district boundaries.
Investigations remain active. Police continue to pursue leads in Junagadh, Surendranagar and other districts to identify and apprehend the alleged suppliers and recipients linked to the consignment.
