Taxila police seize 20kg of explosives

Apprehend two suspects, impound suspicious vehicle

RAWALPINDI:

Taxila police have apprehended two individuals and recovered 20 kgs of explosives from a suspicious vehicle near the Bhalar Top checkpoint, which was en route from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Rawalpindi. The suspects have been charged under terrorism and possession of explosive materials laws.

According to sources, routine vehicle inspections were being conducted by Taxila police officers at the Bhalar Top checkpoint. During one such inspection, a vehicle raised suspicion, prompting a search that led to the discovery of explosive materials within it. The individuals in the vehicle, identified as Amir Sajjad and Noman Iqbal, were immediately taken into custody.

A spokesperson for the Rawalpindi police stated that the arrested individuals hailed from Haripur. Experts in explosives have identified the material as typically used in mining activities. However, the accused did not possess the required license to transport such a significant quantity of explosives.

Consequently, a case has been registered against the accused under Sections 3 and 4 of the Explosive Act and Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act. A sample of the explosive material will be collected and sent to a forensic laboratory for analysis.

The detained individuals, along with the confiscated material, will be handed over to the Counter-Terrorism Department for further investigation. Authorities are also scrutinising the past records of the arrested suspects.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 8^th, 2023.