Forensic examination of the IEDs recovered from two youths in Malda on Friday night has revealed that the bomb-makers were using the remote control units that are used in toys made in China, CID officers investigating the case said today. They added the IEDs were of low intensity but used a highly sophisticated trigger mechanism.

The toy car remote control unit has a range of up to 200 metres, CID sources said. “In the toys, the hand-held remote control device makes the toy perform various functions when the signal is activated. When used in IEDs, the same signal completes the circuit and sets off the detonator. The bomb maker purchased these toys and removed the remote control apparatus to fit it onto the IEDs. We feel these IEDs were intended for militant activity and were being made on a commercial basis,” a source said.

On Friday night, the police seized four live IEDs from two youths travelling in a private taxi in the English Bazar area under Kaliachak police station. Their interrogation revealed that the kingpin of the IED-making racket is one Jahangir, who is still absconding. The arrested youth, Aashiq and Jahangir, told the interrogators that they were on their way to hand over the IEDs to a buyer and collect payment for the same at Rs 20,000 per IED.

“Both mentioned taking orders from one Jahangir. Police raided his residence in Alinagar village from where IED components were recovered, including two kg of explosives, Chinese-made toy remote control units, wires and several metal boxes measuring 10X6X6 inches to contain the IED explosive and apparatus. We feel these boxes were specially made for IEDs,” a CID source said.

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