Chennai: The Karnataka police is speeding up the investigations in connection with the discovery of 1,725 kgs of explosives in Mangaluru district. The police secured a person in connection with the case on Monday and are grilling him to find out the source of explosives.
Police officials had seized 350 kilograms of Potassium Nitrate, 50 kilograms of Barium Nitrate, 395 kilograms of Potassium Chloride, 260 kilograms of Aluminium powders, 30 kilograms of lead balls, 240 kilograms of coal, 161 packs of air rifle bullets containing 100 bullets each from a godown near Bandar area in Mangaluru on Monday, according to a IANS report.
The police identified the explosives while investigating the shooting case of a street dog which took place on July 2, the report said and added that police were investigating the source of the weapon while they got the tip-off.
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The godown belonged to local gun shop owner Anand Gatti, 50, and the police had also arrested him, the report said and added that the accused was sent to police custody for 14 days. The preliminary inquiry suggested that explosives were used in stone quarries and fishing.
Meanwhile, quoting the Mangaluru Police Commissioner Shashikumar, the report said that stocking explosives in sensitive areas like Mangaluru is a cause of concern and the chances of misuse is more as there is naxal activity in neighboring districts of Udupi and Chikkamaglur.
The report said that police officials are further investigating the case.