A large cache of explosives was recovered in Varanasi, the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Saturday, police said.
The haul comprised 145 kg of ammonium nitrate concealed in a car. Ammonium nitrate is commonly used in fertilisers but also acts as an oxidising agent in explosives.
Following a tip-off, policemen from the Lanka police station intercepted the vehicle in the Ramnagar area. However, upon spotting the police, the car passengers escaped leaving behind the vehicle.
Police said the car was headed towards Bihar. Some officials said the explosives were meant for illegal mining purposes.
Security agencies have launched a probe as the haul was found in a VVIP constituency, represented by Modi.
A senior official told IANS that central agencies are overseeing the matter and taking inputs from local intelligence.