New Delhi

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against 11 people in connection with the looting of nearly 4,000 kg of explosives from a vehicle in Odisha’s Rourkela district in May this year.

In a statement, the NIA said the accused have been charged under the UAPA, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS), Arms Act and the Explosive Substances Act after investigators found them “actively involved in the criminal conspiracy, planning and execution” of the theft of around 200 explosive packets, each weighing 20 kg.

The consignment was being transported from the Itma Explosive Station to the Banko stone quarry on May 27 when 10–15 armed Maoists intercepted the vehicle, abducted the driver and seized the explosives, the agency said.

“The vehicle, along with its driver, was forcibly taken by 10–15 armed Maoists to a CPI (Maoist) stronghold in a nearby forest,” the NIA added.

The federal agency, which took over the probe in June, said the stolen cache was intended “for use against government machinery, including police and security forces, through the commission of terror acts.”

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It further stated that the loot formed part of a wider conspiracy by CPI (Maoist) to “disturb the nation’s security and stability.”