Ambala: In a significant pre‑emptive counter‑terrorism operation, the Special Task Force (STF) of the Haryana Police foiled what authorities have described as a potential terror plot near Ambala on March 13, arresting three suspects and recovering nearly two kilograms of explosives suspected to be RDX.
Acting on credible intelligence about the movement of explosives toward a possible target, STF teams deployed in the Ambala‑Barara area laid a trap along a key roadway leading toward Sadhoura. Around late afternoon, security personnel intercepted a vehicle carrying three young men, later identified as Ali Akbar, Ali and Janveer. Preliminary searches of the vehicle led to the discovery of approximately 1.9–2 kg of suspicious explosive material, believed to be RDX, concealed within.
Bomb disposal teams were swiftly called to the site, where they cordoned off the area and secured the material for forensic examination. Officials said the substance has not yet been conclusively identified, but that early indicators suggest it may be RDX, a powerful military‑grade explosive commonly used in improvised explosive devices.
The suspects, aged between roughly 20 and 25 years, hail from different states, with one reported to be from Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, another from Ajmer in Rajasthan, and the third from Kabanasi village in Ambala district, Haryana itself. Law enforcement sources noted that the trio’s movements were under surveillance for several days after intercepted intelligence indicated they were transporting explosive material toward a destination in Haryana.
In the immediate aftermath of the interception, authorities heightened security in the wider Ambala region, particularly along strategic transport routes and near sensitive installations. Traffic was diverted as a precaution during the initial phases of the search and forensic analysis.
Senior STF officials have stated that intensive interrogation of the arrested suspects is underway to determine the source of the explosives, their intended use, and whether they were acting independently or as part of a larger network. “The investigation will seek to establish the broader context of this operation, including any links to organised terror modules or external handlers,” said a police spokesperson, adding that multiple agencies are cooperating in the probe.
While the motive behind the plot remains unclear at this stage, security analysts believe this may signal a renewed attempt by extremist elements to infiltrate or exploit gaps in internal security. India has witnessed several attempts in the past where explosives like RDX were recovered before they could be deployed for mass‑casualty attacks, underscoring the continuing challenge faced by internal security agencies.
Local residents expressed relief following the announcement, with many saying the swift action by the STF likely averted a major disaster. “The fact that such material was intercepted before it reached any target shows how crucial proactive intelligence and surveillance are,” said a shopkeeper near the Barara‑Sadhoura road.
The STF has filed relevant charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Explosives Act, and further legal proceedings are expected as investigators piece together the full scope and intent of the plot.
