FSL: Powder seized in Palghar was RDX

A week after the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) officials seized about 14 kilograms of suspected explosives from an abandoned house in Manor area of Palghar, a coastal suburb near Mumbai, tests conducted by the Kalina-based Forensic State Laboratory (FSL) have confirmed the seized powder to be RDX. While the FSL has confirmed that the powder is an explosive, the ATS is yet to however identify or nab the persons who had brought and stored the explosives in Palghar.

The ATS had on October 27, seized nearly 14 kg of explosives including a powder which was sent for forensic analysis. Sources in the ATS revealed that 16 samples were submitted to the FSL for tests. “The powder that we received from ATS for analysis is RDX,” said a source in FSL. He added that the FSL was yet to submit a final report to the ATS. “The report will be submitted in another week’s time,” he said.

According to sources, the ATS has launched a search in Sativli area where the explosives were found and other areas. The officials have started searching abandoned, under construction and derelict buildings. The ATS had also found some clothes in the house and suspect that some persons stayed at the said place for considerable time.

“We suspect they came from the sea route and put up base in the house. As it is in an isolated area, they may have escaped detection. We are investigating who these people are and if anybody saw them,” said an officer. He added that the officials destroyed detonators found from the house. “We also found gelatin sticks in the house and have sent them for tests,” said an officer. The ATS had deployed 100 officers to Palghar on the day of the seizure.