Maharashtra police seized huge explosives from a house ahead LS polls

Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, a huge amount of bomb-making material and some explosives and weapons have been seized from a house in Pune district of Maharashtra, police said on Wednesday. One person, identified as Rajaram Abhang (71), was arrested following the seizure, an official at the anti-terrorist cell of Pune rural police said.

"Acting on a tip-off, the police on Tuesday raided Abhang's hut located at a farm in Junnar tehsil where a large amount of bomb-making material, country-made pistols, pipe bombs, some detonators and gunpowder were seized," he said. Besides, some sharp weapons, electronic equipment including batteries, an iron armour and a metal helmet were also recovered from the place, he said.

Superintendent of Police Sandip Patil said an investigation was on into the seizure. A case was registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act, the police said.

Another official said in 2003, Abhang man allegedly attempted to kill his wife as he suspected her character. "He had placed a crude bomb on a motorcycle and in the explosion, his wife and three children were injured. Abhang was subsequently arrested," he said.

(With inputs from agencies.)