A major security alert surfaced on Wednesday after police arrested two men and recovered a large cache of explosives in Rajasthan’s Tonk district. The District Special Team of Tonk police seized around 150 kg of explosive material from a car, as per reported.

Officials said the arrests prevented a possible threat ahead of New Year’s Eve.

Accused Identified as Bundi Residents

Police identified the accused as Surendra Patwa and Surendra Mochi. Both men are residents of Rajasthan’s Bundi district, officials told.

The police team took them into custody after acting on specific intelligence inputs.

Tip-Off Leads to Vehicle Interception

DSP Mrityunjay Mishra told PTI that the DST received a tip-off about suspicious movement. Acting quickly, the team intercepted a car in the Baroni police station area.

During the search, police found about 150 kg of ammonium nitrate. The explosive material was hidden inside sacks of urea fertiliser to avoid detection.

Explosives Were Being Transported for Supply

According to the police, the accused were allegedly moving the explosive material from Bundi to Tonk for supply.

Along with ammonium nitrate, officers recovered a large quantity of other explosive items. These included 200 cartridges and six bundles of safety fuse wire, measuring nearly 1,100 metres in total. Police also seized the car used to transport the material.

Investigation Underway

A police official said the operation was conducted swiftly after receiving precise intelligence. Authorities have now launched a detailed investigation to trace the source of the explosives.

Police are also trying to determine the intended use of the material and whether it had links to any criminal or illegal activity.

Officials said they are questioning the accused and checking if the consignment was meant for unlawful purposes, including illegal mining.

Explosive Linked to Recent Deadly Blast

Ammonium nitrate is a white crystalline chemical commonly used as a fertiliser. However, it can be dangerous when misused.

The same chemical was used along with other high-grade explosives in a blast near the Red Fort in Delhi last month. That explosion killed at least 12 people and injured several others.

Investigators earlier said that the alleged bomber, Umar-un-Nabi, may have assembled the improvised explosive device incorrectly, which triggered the blast.