Three Maoist sympathisers were today arrested with explosives in Derang ghati bordering Dalbhumgarh and Gurabandha under Ghatsila sub-division of East Singhbhum district, a senior police officer said.
Acting on a tip off, the district police and the CPRF jointly launched a search operation and arrested two persons transporting six pieces of detonators, one kg each of promotional explosives and aluminium IED component near Derang under Dalbhumgarh police station, Senior Superintendent of Police, Anoop T Mathew said.
Addressing a press conference here, Mathew said the explosives were being transported to a squad headed by Maoists leader Kanu Munda from another squad led by Madan Mahato, who has been operating in Chakulia and areas bordering West Bengal.
The two arrested persons have been identified as Khela Baske and Mangal Baske, both residents of Tantipara, Machbhandar under Dalbhumgarh police station, he said adding, the subsequent interrogation led the police to arrest one scrap dealer Pahar Sahu for supplying the explosives.
The Police have also recovered six detonators and aluminium components from his place, he said.
Mathew said the police have come to know that the aluminium IED components were meant for preparing explosives to target the security personnel and the police were investigating the source of these explosives.
Khela was the nephew of Mangal and Lusa Baske, a Maoist operative who had been in jail in the past and was currently working with Kanu Munda squad, Mathew added.
