TURA, July 15: A hidden cache of explosive components buried in Gabil area, not far from the national highway which connects Anogre to Tura, was unearthed by West Garo Hills police on Wednesday night during an operation.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, West Garo Hills Superintendent of Police VS Rathore said, “We received reliable inputs from our sources about a hidden cache of explosive items in Gabil area and conducted an operation last night. Our police teams were able to recover all the items left hidden underground.”
Although Gabil falls in East Garo Hills, it is located close to the national highway that connects Paikan in Assam with Tura. The area has long been used by militants to cross over from the plains via Jengjal, Daddengre and Tikrikilla towards the hills and onwards to Assam via the jungles of East and North Garo Hills districts.
Wednesday night’s recovery comprised 2.25 kg of gelatin explosive sticks (Class-2, Division-2, Cat- ZZ), eight non-electric detonators, 10 clippers, cello tape and around three metres of safety fuse for use during detonation.
Though police are not ruling out the involvement of militants who may have left it hidden, an investigation has been initiated. “It seems the miscreants had planned to make an improvised explosive device (IED),” believes Rathore.
The recovery comes barely a day after an IED blast took place at Khliehriat Police Reserve in East Jaintia Hills.
Meanwhile, Rathore has urged the public to come forward and alert the police on any suspicious activity so that law and order is maintained in the district.
