Patna: Seized arms cache reveals HuJI-Maoist link

A huge cache of explosives, which was seized by the Patna police during raids conducted over the weekend, was sent by Bangladesh-based terrorist outfit Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami to the Maoists operating in Jharkhand, say Intelligence Bureau officials.

"The huge consignment of explosives, firearms, live cartridges and chemicals were brought from Bangladesh, through the bordering districts of Kishanganj and Purnia, to supply to Maoists," said IB sources.

The IB officials suspect that the Bangladesh-based HuJI is responsible for sending the huge consignment of explosives to Maoists -- to help them foment trouble during the forthcoming assembly polls in Jharkhand.

"We are interrogating two persons detained in this connection," informed an IB official.

A team of the Patna police, along with the Special Task Force, seized 900 kg of explosives from a residential locality in the city, over the weekend.

The teams also found 300 bottles of chemicals for preparing improvised explosive devices, 7221 live cartridges, 50 detonator parts for making 14 carbines and Maoist literature, said sources.

Patna Senior Superintendent of Police Vineet Vinayak informed the media that the police had conducted the raids based on a tip-off by the IB.