Potential Disaster Averted: Rajasthan Police Seize 10,000 Kg of Explosive Chemical from Nagaur Farmhouse
In a major operation that may have prevented a catastrophic incident, the Nagaur district police in Rajasthan have arrested one man and seized nearly 10,000 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, a highly dangerous chemical often linked to massive explosions when misused.
Officials described it as one of the biggest seizures of explosive material ever made in the state.
The raid was carried out in a peaceful rural pocket of Nagaur, where the chemical was secretly stored inside a farmhouse.
A Chemical That Can Turn Deadly
Ammonium nitrate is commonly used in mining and construction for controlled blasting. However, when stored carelessly or diverted for illegal purposes,
It can become a powerful explosive capable of causing devastating blasts — similar to disasters seen across the world when such material has ignited or been misused.
Experts warn that even a small mishandling of such huge quantities can trigger massive destruction, loss of life, and long-term damage.
With nearly 10,000 kg found packed in rooms without basic safety measures, authorities believe the situation was extremely dangerous.
How the Operation Unfolded
Nagaur Superintendent of Police Mridul Kachawa said the police had been receiving intelligence inputs for a long time about illegal buying, selling, and stockpiling of explosive substances in the district.
After gathering both technical surveillance data and ground-level information, the District Special Team (DST) was activated.
On January 24, police raided a farmhouse in the Harsore area and arrested Sulaiman Khan, who had built a house on his 45-bigha farmland.
Inside 2–3 rooms of the farmhouse, officers discovered:
- About 10,000 kg of ammonium nitrate
- Detonators
- Detonating wires
- Other blasting materials used in mining
Shockingly, none of the standard safety procedures were being followed.
Illegal Supply Network Under Scanner
Police believe Khan was supplying explosives for both legal and illegal mining activities.
An FIR has been registered under the Explosive Substances Act and also under organised crime laws.
Authorities are now working to trace:
- Where the explosives came from
- Who they were being supplied to
- Whether any larger network is involved
The SP revealed that Khan already has three previous cases related to explosives, though he was acquitted in one.
A Pattern of Dangerous Seizures
This is not the first such incident in Rajasthan.
Just before New Year’s Eve, police had seized 150 kg of ammonium nitrate from a car and arrested two men from Bundi district, raising serious concerns about the growing illegal movement of explosive materials in the region.
A Close Call for Public Safety
Officials believe that if this stockpile had caught fire or fallen into the wrong hands, it could have caused a tragedy of massive proportions.
The seizure highlights the urgent need for strict monitoring of explosive chemicals and tougher action against illegal storage and trafficking.
