"The jeep, bearing a UP registration number, crossed in speed the barrier put up by the police during a checking drive last night, following which police chased it," Gourihar police station's assistant sub-inspector L P Ahirwar said.
After stopping the jeep, police found eight bags of 50 kg each packed with ammonium nitrate, he said.
Ahirwar said the occupants of the vehicle, including the driver, fled immediately after stopping the jeep.
"They fled as they (were) probably transporting the explosives illegally. A case under relevant sections of Explosive Act is registered in this regard and further investigations are on," he added.