Target Delhi? Over 5 kg explosives recovered in Ambala

A major terrorist attack, reportedly intended either at city railway station or Delhi was averted with the seizure of as much as 5.6 kg RDX explosives laden car in the wee hours of Thursday at Ambala railway station.

Five timers and as many detonators were also recovered from the blue Indica car which bore fake registration number. The explosives recovered in a five hour long operation, have been sent to the FSL, Madhuban. The senior officials of National Investigation Agency (NIA) from Delhi and the state police including DGP RS Dalal also rushed to the spot.

The Indica car which bore a fake number (HR 03 R 0054) was spotted by locals and railway staff, parked near the parcel yard of the station near platform no 1 The staff informed the police which called the bomb disposal and dog squads besides the forensic experts , army and air force personnels. The NSG commandos have now removed the car from the spot with the help of a crane and have taken it to New Delhi. Meanwhile, senior RPF, GRP, HAP, Railway and Civil officers held a meeting to review the situation.

Has a Delhi HC blast link?

Though it could not be officially confirmed, sources in the local police said that the explosive was meant for a major terror attack in either of the major towns of Haryana or Delhi towards Diwali.

The explosives have allegedly come from Jammu and Kashmir and were either supplied towards Delhi or were meant for a major blast in Ambala itself as it had major oil refinery depot, IAF base and also several crowded points.

Meanwhile, sources in the police also said that though the car had a fake number, it was said to have a connection with the recent blast at Delhi High Court as the vehicle was being zeroed in on by the Delhi police.

Haryana cops’ goof-up

Interestingly at 10.30 pm on Wednesday, the local police had ruled out explosives in the vehicle and the senior officers had left the spot. Sources informed HT that a Delhi police team headed by ACP Sanjeev Yadav reached the spot and fresh operation was launched following which the explosives were recovered from the car. Meanwhile Railway Protection Force Commandant Mahinder Kumar said that all leaves of the staff had been cancelled and they had been put on high alert.

Fake car number

The Indica car used for the crime was registered in the name of Rahul Trading Company Panchkula. Sources said when local police swooped at the said address they found the car with the same registration number parked there. Ironically initial searches were hampered as there was no power arrangement in the vicinity and security agencies and security agencies used torches as the vehicle was parked in the dark. Residents pointed out that improper power arrangement at such a busy railway station raised question marks.