Patna: A live hand grenade and five cartridges were recovered from two youths arrested near the Sheetla Mata Mandir overbridge under Agamkuan police station area in Patna City, police said on Wednesday.The arrested accused were identified as Rohit Kumar, a resident of Nalanda, and Sunny Kumar, a resident of Patna. Acting on a tip-off that two men were allegedly attempting to sell illegal arms, police conducted a raid near the overbridge late on Tuesday night and apprehended them.Patna City SDPO-1 Raj Kishore Singh said a search of the duo led to the recovery of five live cartridges and a grenade-like object bearing the marking “Zhong Long”. Both were sent to judicial custody, he added.The recovered object was initially examined by local police before the bomb disposal squad from the police lines was called in. The squad confirmed that it was a live hand grenade. Singh said the Director General Control Room had been informed and arrangements were being made to safely defuse the explosive in an open area.Agamkuan SHO Rajesh Kumar Jha said the accused were being questioned separately to ascertain the source of the grenade and cartridges and identify any intended recipients. “We are also probing the purpose for which the ammunition and explosive had allegedly been procured.”Police are verifying the criminal antecedents of the two youths and examining possible links with criminal gangs or networks. They are also trying to determine whether the recovered grenade and ammunition were intended for use in any criminal activity.
