West Bengal

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Purba Sthali, Purba Bardhaman district, police recovered more than five kilograms of bomb-making material late Tuesday night, leading to the arrest of a local resident, identified as Sahabil Sheikh.

Acting on a tip-off about suspicious activity near Benakor Mor, officers from Purba Sthali Police Station conducted a raid and apprehended Sheikh. During the search, several packets containing explosive precursors were seized. Authorities are investigating the source of the materials, the intended destination, and whether the explosives were meant for illegal activities in the run-up to the West Bengal Assembly elections.

Sheikh’s residence is reportedly located in the Chhatni area of Purba Sthali. Police have launched a probe into whether he was acting alone or as part of a larger network and are examining if the explosives were intended to create unrest during the election period.

On Thursday, Sahabil Sheikh was produced before the Kalna court, and police requested seven days of custody for further investigation. The operation underscores the ongoing vigilance of law enforcement in sensitive areas ahead of the state elections.

Investigators are now tracing the origin of the explosives, identifying potential collaborators, and assessing the full scale of the threat posed by the seized materials.