New Year Terror Scare in Rajasthan: 150kg Explosives Seized Hours Before Celebrations

New Year alert in Rajasthan: 150kg explosives, batteries and wires seized from car; 2 arrested

The countdown to 2026 in Rajasthan was nearly overshadowed by a chilling discovery that sent shockwaves through state security agencies. On the evening of Wednesday, December 31, 2025—New Year’s Eve—a routine vehicle check on the Tonk–Jaipur highway turned into a major counter-terrorism operation when police uncovered **150 kilograms of ammonium nitrate**, meticulously concealed inside fertilizer sacks .

This is no ordinary chemical. Ammonium nitrate is a highly volatile compound that, when mixed with a fuel source and triggered correctly, forms the core of many improvised explosive devices (IEDs)—the same type used in past terrorist attacks across India and the globe. The seizure of such a massive quantity, just as cities prepared for crowded New Year festivities, has raised urgent questions about the **Rajasthan explosives seizure** and the potential threat that was narrowly averted .

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The Interception and Seizure

According to senior officials from the Jaipur Police, the operation began as a standard patrol near the Singoli police outpost. Acting on a tip-off or suspicious vehicle behavior (authorities have not yet confirmed), officers stopped a car traveling from Tonk toward Jaipur .

During a thorough search, they found something far more sinister than contraband or smuggled goods. Hidden within **urea fertilizer sacks**—a common and easily available agricultural product—were large blocks of a suspicious white granular substance. Quick field tests confirmed it was ammonium nitrate. In addition, investigators recovered:

  • 200 electric detonators (explosive batteries)
  • 1,100 meters of insulated electric wire
  • Packaging materials consistent with IED assembly

The sheer scale of the haul—enough to create multiple large-scale devices—suggested this was not a random act, but part of a coordinated plan .

Rajasthan Explosives Seizure: Suspects and Motives

Two men in the vehicle, identified as **Surendra** and **Surendra Mochi**, were immediately taken into custody. As of New Year’s morning, they are undergoing intense interrogation by Rajasthan Police and state Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) officials .

Authorities are urgently trying to establish several key facts:

  1. Where did the ammonium nitrate originate? (It’s a regulated substance, requiring licenses for purchase and transport.)
  2. Who was the intended target? Public venues, political rallies, or religious sites?
  3. Are the suspects part of a larger terror module operating in the region?

Preliminary reports suggest the men may have been tasked with transporting the materials to a different location for final assembly. Their connection to any known militant groups remains under investigation .

Ammonium Nitrate: Why It Is So Dangerous

Ammonium nitrate is a paradoxical chemical. It’s a vital component in agricultural fertilizers, boosting crop yields across India. Yet, in the hands of extremists, it becomes a weapon of mass destruction.

The 1993 Bombay bombings, the 2008 Malegaon blasts, and even the 2020 Beirut port explosion all involved ammonium nitrate. Its danger lies in its stability under normal conditions—but when contaminated, confined, and triggered by a detonator, it can unleash catastrophic force .

According to the **Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)** and the **Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985**, the sale and movement of ammonium nitrate are tightly controlled. The fact that 150kg was smuggled undetected points to a serious breach in the regulatory supply chain—a concern that extends far beyond this single incident .

Security Alert for New Year’s Eve

Following the seizure, Rajasthan’s Director General of Police (DGP) ordered an immediate **statewide alert**, especially in major cities like Jaipur, Udaipur, and Jodhpur where large public gatherings were planned for New Year’s Eve .

Additional checkpoints were set up on all highways, drone surveillance was increased over sensitive locations, and police patrolling was intensified near malls, hotels, and religious sites. While the public was not officially warned to avoid celebrations, the subtext was clear: a significant threat had been neutralized, but vigilance remained critical .

Broader Implications for Domestic Security

This incident is a stark reminder that terrorist threats can emerge from seemingly mundane channels. The use of fertilizer as a cover is a classic tactic, exploiting the vast agricultural economy to mask illicit activities.

It also highlights the crucial role of frontline police officers whose sharp instincts and routine checks can prevent national tragedies. This **Rajasthan explosives seizure** should prompt a nationwide review of how regulated chemicals are tracked from factory to field .

For more on India’s evolving counter-terrorism strategies, see our [INTERNAL_LINK:India domestic security threats] coverage. Globally, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has long advocated for stricter controls on precursor chemicals like ammonium nitrate to prevent their diversion to terrorist use .

Summary

The **Rajasthan explosives seizure** on New Year’s Eve 2025 was a critical win for state security forces. By intercepting 150kg of ammonium nitrate and related detonation materials, police likely averted a major terrorist attack during a high-profile holiday period. With two suspects in custody and a full investigation underway, the focus now shifts to uncovering the plot’s origins, intended targets, and any wider network. This event underscores the persistent threat of homegrown terrorism and the vital importance of robust chemical regulation and vigilant law enforcement.

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