Vadodara: The city police on Sunday arrested Mushtaq Sheikh, an ex-army jawan and railway contractor, for placing explosive substances on railway tracks near Angadh village. Ironically, Sheikh had earlier alerted authorities about the presence of the ‘cold pyro’ on the tracks.Police said that two days ago, they received information about explosive material on the railway line, and Sheikh had informed the authorities and the railways. During the investigation, it was revealed that Sheikh himself had planted the cold pyro on the tracks.Officials added that Sheikh, whose two-year railway contract was ending this year, hoped his actions might lead to a contract extension or a reward under railway policy. Cold pyro, commonly used in weddings and other celebrations, is considered a minor explosive. Sheikh reportedly collected the material from a marriage venue before placing it on the tracks.Sheikh, a resident of Sherkhi village, has been booked for criminal conspiracy and endangering human lives. The seized explosives have been sent for FSL testing, and other investigative agencies have been involved in the probe.
